Group E Tau Ceramica Olympiacos AJ Milano Asseco Prokom Group F Regal FCB Real Madrid Maccabi Electra Alba Berlin Group G Unicaja Lottomatica Roma Panathinaikos Partizan Belgrade Group H CSKA Moscow Montepaschi Fenerbahce Ulker Cibona
Yeah, it seems that Tau and Olympiacos will have an easier path. And I like how there will be a spanish classic between Regal FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Round 1 Group E Jan. 29: Armani MI 76-74 Olympiakos Jan. 28: Tau 99-77 Prokom Group F Jan. 29: Maccabi T-A 96-65 ALBA Jan. 28: Real Madrid 85-83 Regal Barca Group G Jan. 29: Panathinaikos 81-63 Partizan Jan. 29: Lottomatica 75-88 Unicaja Group H Jan. 29: Fener.Ulker 48-66 CSKA Jan. 28: Cibona 88-81 Montepasch Round 2 Group E Feb. 5: Olympiakos 73-70 Tau Feb. 5: AseccoProkom 60-62 Armani MI Group F Feb. 5: ALBA 84-87 Real Madrid Feb. 5: Regal Barca 85-65 Maccabi T-A Group G Feb. 4: Unicaja 69-81 Panathinaikos Feb. 4: Partizan 84-76 Lottomatica Group H Feb. 4: CSKA 87-61 Cibona Feb. 4: Montepaschi 87-79 Fener.Ulker
Euroleague Standings (After 2 Rounds) Group E 1. Armani MI 2-0 2. Olympiakos 1-1 3. Tau 1-1 4. Prokom 0-2 Group F 1. Real Madrid 2-0 2. Regal Barca 1-1 3. Maccabi T-A 1-1 4. ALBA 0-2 Group G 1. Panathinaikos 2-0 2. Partizan 1-1 3. Unicaja 1-1 4. Lottomatica 0-2 Group H 1. CSKA 2-0 2. Montepaschi 1-1 3. Cibona 1-1 4. Fener.Ulker 0-2
The biggest surprise is obviously AJ Milano at 1st. They surprised Olympiacos, but I expected them to win at least one against them. Then they barely got past Prokom, one of the worst teams left in the Euroleague. With Olympiacos beating Tau, Milano's chances of advancing to the next round shrunk quite a bit. Real Madrid can probably clinch their spot in the next round by beating Maccabi in Madrid next week. Their win over Barcelona was very impressive, but they needed a huge comeback to beat Alba. Meanwhile, Barca dismantled Maccabi without their starting PG, Lakovic. They're definitely a favorite to win it all this season. Panathinaikos pulled off two good wins, at home vs Partizan and in Spain vs Malaga. However, any of the 4 teams in Group G can still advance and I wouldn't be surprised to see any combination in the next round. CSKA beat Cibona and Fenerbahce as expected, but their real test will be against Montepaschi in Italy next week. That'll be one heck of a game.
AJ Milano is in a better position now then I would expect, no doubt. Tau is missing Splitter, at first I didn't think they would suffer much, but he was obviously an important piece for them. Do you have a favorite to win it all? Who do you think are real contenders to the title?
My favorites right now are CSKA and Barcelona. Montepaschi, Unicaja, Panathinaikos, Tau, Real, Olympiacos and Maccabi are all a level below them. I'd love to see a Barcelona-CSKA final. However, if they both finish 1st in their Top 16 groups as expected and win in the quarterfinals, they'll face each other in the semifinals. Panathinaikos are dominating their group so far and I have them in my Final Four. As for the 4th team, it could be almost anyone. Maccabi always seem to find a way to reach the Final Four and once there, anything can happen, even though they are not as strong as they once were. Montepaschi are a threat every year but never seem to go all the way. Same goes for Tau. Unicaja always disappoint at some point, though they seem better this season.I can't see Real and Olympiacos contending with the others, to be honest.
Round 3 Group E Feb. 11: AseccoProkom 68-93 Olympiakos Feb. 11: Tau 108-90 Armani MI Group F Feb. 12: Regal Barca 85-69 ALBA Feb. 12: Real Madrid 98-79 Maccabi T-A Group G Feb. 12: Panathinaikos 92-67 Lottomatica Feb. 11: Partizan 60-59 Unicaja Group H Feb. 12: Cibona 55-65 Fener.Ulker Feb. 11: Montepaschi 74-56 CSKA
Euroleague Standings (After 3 Rounds) Group E 1. Tau 2-1 2. Olympiakos 2-1 3. Armani MI 2-1 4. Prokom 0-3 Group F 1. Real Madrid 3-0 2. Regal Barca 2-1 3. Maccabi T-A 1-2 4. ALBA 0-3 Group G 1. Panathinaikos 3-0 2. Partizan 2-1 3. Unicaja 1-2 4. Lottomatica 0-3 Group H 1. CSKA 2-1 2. Montepaschi 2-1 3. Fener.Ulker 1-2 4. Cibona 1-2
Round 4 Group E Feb. 26: Olympiakos 84-71 AseccoProkom Feb. 25: Armani MI 74-107 Tau Group F Feb. 26: Maccabi T-A 69-73 Real Madrid Feb. 26: ALBA 57-75 Regal Barca Group G Feb. 26: Lottomatica 71-90 Panathinaikos Feb. 25: Unicaja 74-78 OT Partizan Group H Feb. 25: Fener.Ulker 64-86 Cibona Feb. 25: CSKA 95-71 Montepaschi
Euroleague Standings (After 4 Rounds) <table width="148" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" colspan="3" width="148" align="center" bgcolor="#3c7faf">Group E</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 1. Olympiakos</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">3-1 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 2. Tau</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">3-1 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 3. Armani MI</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">2-2 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 4. Prokom</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">0-4 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" colspan="3" width="148" align="center" bgcolor="#3c7faf">Group F</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 1. Real Madrid</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">4-0 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 2. Regal Barca</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">3-1 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 3. Maccabi T-A</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">1-3 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 4. ALBA</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">0-4 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" colspan="3" width="148" align="center" bgcolor="#3c7faf">Group G</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 1. Panathinaikos</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">4-0 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 2. Partizan</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">3-1 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 3. Unicaja</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">1-3 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 4. Lottomatica</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">0-4 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" colspan="3" width="148" align="center" bgcolor="#3c7faf">Group H</td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 1. CSKA</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">3-1 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 2. Montepaschi</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">2-2 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ffffff"> 3. Cibona</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ffffff">2-2 </td></tr> <tr><td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="107" align="left" bgcolor="#ebf3fb"> 4. Fener.Ulker</td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="20"></td> <td style="font-size: 8pt;" width="32" align="right" bgcolor="#ebf3fb">1-3 </td></tr></tbody></table>
Maccabi completely flopped vs Real and Barca. I'm glad to finally see them out of the quarter-finals for once. Surprise of the Top 16 so far is without a doubt Partizan...I've been rooting for them to succeed all season long but they have surprised even me with their great play. They have a HUGE home game vs Panathinaikos coming up and reportedly will fill 22,000(!!!) seats. Unicaja cracked under pressure as they do every season...can't say I didn't expect that.
Results yesterday: <table class="GameResultsContainer" id="ctl02_ctl00_Results1_gvResults" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td class="GameMatchContainer">CSKA Moscow - Fenerbahce Ulker </td><td class="GameScoreContainer"> 77 - 60 </td><td class="GameReportContainer"> </td><td class="GameQuotesContainer"> </td><td class="GamePreviewContainer"> </td> </tr><tr class="GameResultsAlternatingContainer"> <td class="GameMatchContainer"> Asseco Prokom - Tau Ceramica </td><td class="GameScoreContainer"> 72 - 92 </td><td class="GameReportContainer"> </td><td class="GameQuotesContainer"> </td><td class="GamePreviewContainer"> </td> </tr><tr> <td class="GameMatchContainer"> Regal FC Barcelona - Real Madrid </td><td class="GameScoreContainer"> 90 - 79 </td><td class="GameReportContainer"> </td><td class="GameQuotesContainer"> </td><td class="GamePreviewContainer"> </td> </tr><tr class="GameResultsAlternatingContainer"> <td class="GameMatchContainer"> Unicaja - Lottomatica Roma </td><td class="GameScoreContainer"> 99 - 64</td></tr></tbody></table> Games today: Olympiacos - AJ Milano (Mar. 05 7:45 PM 8:45 PM) Alba Berlin - Maccabi Electra (Mar. 05 8:30 PM 8:30 PM) Montepaschi Siena - Cibona (Mar. 05 8:45 PM 8:45 PM) Partizan - Panathinaikos (Mar. 05 8:45 PM 8:45 PM)
Results: Olympiacos vs. AJ Milano 84-81 Alba Berlin vs. Maccabi Electra 70-76 Partizan vs. Panathinaikos 63-56 Montepaschi Siena vs. Cibona 86-70
Euroleague Standings (After 5 Rounds) Group E <TABLE class=StandingsContainer id=gvStandings style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=StandingsHeaderContainer><TH scope=col>Team</TH><TH scope=col>W</TH><TH scope=col>L</TH><TH scope=col>Pts +</TH><TH scope=col>Pts -</TH><TH scope=col>Total Pts.</TH></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Tau Ceramica </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>476 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>386 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>90 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Olympiacos </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>408 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>366 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>42 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>AJ Milano </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>2 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>3 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>383 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>433 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-50 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Asseco Prokom </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>0 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>5 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>348 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>430 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-82 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Group F <TABLE class=StandingsContainer id=gvStandings style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=StandingsHeaderContainer><TH scope=col>Team</TH><TH scope=col>W</TH><TH scope=col>L</TH><TH scope=col>Pts +</TH><TH scope=col>Pts -</TH><TH scope=col>Total Pts.</TH></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Regal FC Barcelona </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>418 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>355 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>63 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Real Madrid </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>422 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>405 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>17 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Maccabi Electra </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>2 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>3 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>385 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>391 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-6 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Alba Berlin </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>0 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>5 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>345 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>419 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-74 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Group G <TABLE class=StandingsContainer id=gvStandings style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=StandingsHeaderContainer><TH scope=col>Team</TH><TH scope=col>W</TH><TH scope=col>L</TH><TH scope=col>Pts +</TH><TH scope=col>Pts -</TH><TH scope=col>Total Pts.</TH></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Panathinaikos </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>400 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>333 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>67 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Partizan </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>348 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>346 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>2 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Unicaja </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>2 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>3 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>389 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>358 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>31 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Lottomatica Roma </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>0 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>5 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>353 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>453 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-100 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Group H <TABLE class=StandingsContainer id=gvStandings style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 border=0><TBODY><TR class=StandingsHeaderContainer><TH scope=col>Team</TH><TH scope=col>W</TH><TH scope=col>L</TH><TH scope=col>Pts +</TH><TH scope=col>Pts -</TH><TH scope=col>Total Pts.</TH></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>CSKA Moscow </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>4 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>1 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>381 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>314 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>67 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Montepaschi Siena </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>3 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>2 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>399 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>388 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>11 </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ClubContainer>Cibona </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>2 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>3 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>360 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>383 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-23 </TD></TR><TR class=StandingsAlternatingRow><TD class=ClubContainer>Fenerbahce Ulker </TD><TD class=GamesWonContainer>1 </TD><TD class=GamesLostContainer>4 </TD><TD class=PointsFavourContainer>316 </TD><TD class=PointsAgainstContainer>371 </TD><TD class=TotalPointsContainer>-55 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
I'm pretty sure all the 1/4 finals teams are set now (Siena because of their point differential over Cibona). Now all that's left to see is who matches-up with who. I honestly believe that if Partizan do advance from 2nd, they have a legitimate shot at taking out CSKA.