Tonight marks the end of the EuroLeague’s first “hell week,” with the schedule featuring the final six games of the competition’s third round.
The first tip-off of the day will take place in Istanbul at the “Turkcell Basketball Development Center,” where Besiktas will host Barcelona (8:00 p.m.). Both teams have a 1-1 record in the competition, with the Turks coming off their first win of the season thanks to a huge 109-93 road victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv. The “Blaugrana” are coming off a fair loss, falling just short against Dubai BC (94-87). This promises to be one of the toughest and most evenly matched games of the night, taking place in a “scorching” atmosphere.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
At 8:45 p.m., just a short distance away in Istanbul, Fenerbahçe will host Dubai BC, nearly three weeks after their previous meeting and the Turks’ victory in the third-place game of the European Super Cup. Both teams are in good form, having won all their games in these first two rounds. Just a few days ago, both teams impressed with wins over Bayern Munich (100-76) and Barcelona (94-87), respectively.
A quarter later, in Lyon, France, Villeurbanne will host Valencia (9:00 p.m.). The Spaniards are riding high after going “2 for 2” and playing beautiful, highly entertaining basketball; they’re coming off an emphatic 111-88 victory over Baskonia. ASVEL is coming off a crushing 102-79 loss in Athens. At the same time, Bayern will host Partizan in Munich. The Bavarians are tied at 1-1, while the Serbs are 2-0—one of the pleasant surprises of the season so far.
Finally, the curtain falls on this round of games in the Basque Country, where Baskonia will face Armani Milan. The home team, which has yet to secure a win this season, has been a cause for concern with its performance, having conceded a total of 217 points in two games! Armani, which is still finding its footing, had a tough time in the Italian derby; tonight, it has the chance to turn its record around.
Here’s a breakdown of Round 3:
Thursday, Oct
. 1: Hapoel Tel Aviv–Real Madrid 102–98
Red Star-Anadolu Efes 77–72
Virtus Bologna–Olympiacos 96–94
Paris–Zalgiris 82–78
Friday, October 2
Beşiktaş vs. Barcelona (8:00 PM)
Fenerbahçe vs. Dubai BC (8:45 PM)
Villeurbanne vs. Valencia (9:00 p.m.)
Bayern Munich vs. Partizan (9:00 p.m.)
Panathinaikos AKTOR vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv (9:15 p.m.)
Baskonia vs. Armani Milan (9:30 p.m.)
*Photo source: KYPE
