...Moment of truth has arrived !
After yesterday's three games which litterally could have decided the formation of the F4, only Maccabi Tel Aviv was able to finish the job against lacking the so much needed experience hosts of EA7 Armani Milan.
" People's " historic squad, ended the series at a comfortable 86-66 win in Yiad Eliau, bringing lots of cheer to their fans.
It reserves now the second seat next to Barcelona, which as expected ( with a poor performance in game 3 though ) , reached a sweep earlier in the week, versus Galatasaray.
==========================
And now, all the attention is focused on ...big Friday's colossal games, deciding the two remaining seats :
Cska v Panathinaikos and Real M v Olympiakos P.
...I'll make my best to simplify things for you, so you are aware what to expect tomorrow.
I shall start with the..early repeat of last year's final, Real Madrid versus Olympiakos.
A. In Real's favour :
1. They play their future in their hometown. 2. They have the chance to have at the same time
in the team, three of the best ever guards ( Rudy-Sergi-Sergio ).
B. In Olympiakos favour :
1. Eager to make the impossible. A 3pit, never achieved in European history.
2. More athletic team overall.
3. Legendary captain, V.Spanoulis.
4. An obvious supremacy in the bench ( Bartzokas v Lasso ).
5. The momentum..Coming back from a 0-2, reigning Greek champions are NOW pouring out of confidence.
6. 1st referee ( and promissing a fifty-fifty refereeing ), Italian super star Gigi Lamonica.
7. KEY FACTOR : Real chose to play Olympiakos.
Big teams never do that mistake..and history has taught many lessons to those who played..dirty......
=============== ===============
Proceeding now to Cska-Panathinaikos game 5, to my EYE this game is totally " open ".
After a dramatic equalizer from a 3 pointer from ..downtown ( courtesy of most valuable player of this season A.Fotsis ) and an extra time, the green team tied the series and as we speak are now flying to Moscow.
The game will be a corps a corps one and details will decide on the big winner. Russians look a taller team, but since playing withought a real playmaker will have to invent a new way of replacing Serbian M.Teodosic.
Also, for the Russians playing in front of their fans, is not necessarily a disadvantage for the Greek team, as the latters are not renowned for their passion !
To my EYE, athletic forwards Gist & Lasme can offer a serious advantage to Panathinaikos, especially facing practically " invisible " in critical games N.Cristic and..shadow of himself Kyle Hines.
====================
..And a final comment-wish from the blogger :
A friend of mine, whom I trust a lot, told me 3 months ago :
If Olympiakos makes it to Milan...it is a matter of time for them to lift a 3d consecutive trophy....
in the team, three of the best ever guards ( Rudy-Sergi-Sergio ).
B. In Olympiakos favour :
1. Eager to make the impossible. A 3pit, never achieved in European history.
2. More athletic team overall.
3. Legendary captain, V.Spanoulis.
4. An obvious supremacy in the bench ( Bartzokas v Lasso ).
5. The momentum..Coming back from a 0-2, reigning Greek champions are NOW pouring out of confidence.
6. 1st referee ( and promissing a fifty-fifty refereeing ), Italian super star Gigi Lamonica.
7. KEY FACTOR : Real chose to play Olympiakos.
Big teams never do that mistake..and history has taught many lessons to those who played..dirty......
=============== ===============
Proceeding now to Cska-Panathinaikos game 5, to my EYE this game is totally " open ".
After a dramatic equalizer from a 3 pointer from ..downtown ( courtesy of most valuable player of this season A.Fotsis ) and an extra time, the green team tied the series and as we speak are now flying to Moscow.
The game will be a corps a corps one and details will decide on the big winner. Russians look a taller team, but since playing withought a real playmaker will have to invent a new way of replacing Serbian M.Teodosic.
Also, for the Russians playing in front of their fans, is not necessarily a disadvantage for the Greek team, as the latters are not renowned for their passion !
To my EYE, athletic forwards Gist & Lasme can offer a serious advantage to Panathinaikos, especially facing practically " invisible " in critical games N.Cristic and..shadow of himself Kyle Hines.
====================
..And a final comment-wish from the blogger :
A friend of mine, whom I trust a lot, told me 3 months ago :
If Olympiakos makes it to Milan...it is a matter of time for them to lift a 3d consecutive trophy....
