[Sport] 11 days for Real Madrid's all or nothing in the Euroleague: get eliminated, be seeded or face Barça in the quarterfinals

[SougarLord]

 

Because of the renewed strength of some, because of the weakness of others, because of the general equality ... few times has a Euroleague been so competitive. To the point that, with three days to go, there is only one team, Barça, mathematically classified for the quarter-finals and, furthermore, as seeded.

 

The rest are in a mess. Well, not all. Some classics have not even had a chance to fight for the crown for days. Who remembers a quarter-final without Maccabi, Olympiacos or Panathinaikos? In the last 25 years, up to 13 Euroleague have carried his stamp.

 

The calculators fume, although perhaps none like that of Real Madrid, another 'noble' in serious trouble. With three games to go, his chances of not being in the top eight are a reality. Because his calendar is one of the most complicated among those involved and because his feelings lately have not been the best. The only relief for Pablo Laso is that he recovers Rudy Fernández for the key week.

 

"DEPEND ON US"

Of the three games, it is very likely that he will not be worth it with only winning one. To begin with, this Tuesday he receives Anadolu Efes from Shane Larkin and Vasilje Micic. After Barça, perhaps the team with the most favorite ballots. And the Turks, who did not start the course on the right foot, play the home court factor in their favor in the fight for the Final Four in Cologne. "We play against, if not the best, one of the best teams in Europe. They have very determined players. We must maintain defensive strength and regain our offensive freshness. We aspire to compete at the best level because, if not, winning at Efes is very difficult "Laso warned.

 

Then on Friday, also at the WiZink, they host Olympiacos. A priori the most affordable stake, as the Greeks will be mathematically eliminated. And the whites will close next Thursday the 8th at Sinan Erdem, visiting a Fenerbaçe who, depending on the results, could not risk anything or life itself. "There are three games left, in the situation we are in, we must depend on ourselves. We have to win all three but I'm only worried about tomorrow. I can't think later," warns the white coach.

 

Therefore, the white options are to prevail in the final three games (they could even be seeded), win two and most likely be the eighth and face them against Barça or win one or none and be out. Keep in mind that he has the lost average with both Baskonia and Valencia.

 

Leaving Efes and CSKA out of the equation for the quarterfinals, everyone else down to the very Valencia Basket who now occupies 10th place are in the fray. What's more, if logic were followed, the taronjas would have a very good time to advance, since their tasks seem the most affordable: they receive Olympiacos (although they have never beaten them at La Fonteta), they travel to Berlin and the week that is coming, they will face Baskonia in a fratricidal and decisive duel. Of course, those of Ponsarnau will need to win their three games. Like those of Ivanovic, who this Tuesday visit Panathinaikos and then receive Efes.