The blogger explains below, why the last week of February is particularly important.
At a first look, Barcelona has secured 1st place and five teams will fight for positions 2, 3, 4 .. ( Let's not forget at this point, that positions 1 and 2 give the advantage, for the " best of five " playoffs ) . During the first round, we witnessed tough games, which more or less was expected, taking into consideration the potential of the majority of the participants. Coaches have a clear picture now. They even proceeded into some additions to reinforce their rosters..
Olympiacos, having lost after a knee operation precious American playmaker Acie Law, has added American veteran NBAer Giamario Moon and fellow American guard Mardi Collins. Fener-Ulker has just announced extremely promising young American playmaker Pierre Jackson. Panathinaicos signed Brose Bamberg's Zac Wright and in an astonishing move, last in the group Laboral Cutxa signed legendary power forward ( ex LA.LAKERS ), Lamar Odom !!
So, to many three of the opening games of the second round, may determine for good the future of the 5 teams struggling to qualify.
Fener-Olympiacos, Armani-Panathinaicos and Lab.Cutxa - Unicaja Malaga. Actually as a comment to this last game, the blogger reminds you that L.Cutxa has its only win in the group since its victory in Andalusia in the 1st round, and the Basque..multinational club should expect a repeat...hoping for a enormous comeback!
If that is the case, Malaga loses automatically most of its hopes and practically runs out of target..
Coming to the serious games between Z.Obradovic's F.Ulker v back2back European champions Olympiacos, to my EYE this massive game will defy the fate of both teams..
Especially Fener's one, playing its last cards, ( if not the last )..Thus be prepared for a thrilling game, of the kind though Greek giants are..quite familiar !
On the day before, 6 times winners Panathinaicos are visiting the capital of Lombardy Milan, which will host the final4, between 16 and 18 of May. Greece's national championship winners, have started the season in a stylish 3-0, then pulled back with a 0-3, to end round 1, with a dramatic last minute's victory, at the Greek " classico " !
Can they repeat their easy victory in the first round against our..fratelli's new power Emporio Armani ? We shall wait and see...
Criticizing Armani's progress till now, I can see many similarities with Olympiacos in their game : Defence chasing every ball, fastbreaks, excellent scoring courtesy of Keith Langforth, and medium height's big guys full of quality front line..Amazing ! Extra motivation : In their home town, upcoming F4.
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In GROUP F, at the end of round 1, my guess is that only two issues remain to be settled : 1. Which among Real Madrid and Cska Moscow will top the group, and 2. Which among Galatasaray, Locomotiv Cuban and Bayern Munich will achieve 4th place....unfortunately to cross Barca for a place in the playoffs
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In GROUP F, at the end of round 1, my guess is that only two issues remain to be settled : 1. Which among Real Madrid and Cska Moscow will top the group, and 2. Which among Galatasaray, Locomotiv Cuban and Bayern Munich will achieve 4th place....unfortunately to cross Barca for a place in the playoffs
Opening game Maccabi Tel Aviv - Galatasaray, expected tougher than ever. If the Turks achieve their goal in Yad Eliau, they would have made a giant step...For the moment, Maccabi, having secured 99% 3rd place, makes secret dreams ( why not ) for something quite improbable, 2nd place.. STANDINGS OF GROUP F : ( after 1st round ).
.....And a small preview from the blogger concerning Champions League 1st matches for the F8 : Shall previous week's results ( where Barca, Bayern, Paris and Atletico M. ) won OUT OF HOME shall be the case for Tuesday's and Wednesday's big games ? ......To be followed.
.....And a small preview from the blogger concerning Champions League 1st matches for the F8 : Shall previous week's results ( where Barca, Bayern, Paris and Atletico M. ) won OUT OF HOME shall be the case for Tuesday's and Wednesday's big games ? ......To be followed.
