7DAYS EuroCup: three games open round 8
We are at the crunch point of the 7DAYS EuroCup regular season as Round 8 has opened. This is the penultimate round of the season and we already have six clubs through to the Top 16. Over the next two weeks, the remaining 10 clubs heading to knockout basketball next year will be decided.
On Tuesday, three games opened the week’s action in the 7DAYS EuroCup. No teams qualified, but Galatasaray, Limoges, and ASVEL all made their lives a lot easier and are now hot favorites to make the Top 16.
Group B – Galatasaray Istanbul vs. Buducnost Voli Podgorica, 82-61
Galatasaray is making a play for the Top 16 over the last few weeks and is now back in the frame for qualification. Two consecutive wins for the former champs destroyed Buducnost in Istanbul to move to 3-5 in the standings, while Buducnost is locked on 4-4. Galatasaray has the head to head advantage, so results next week will decide which of the clubs progresses. The hosts controlled this game from the start and was up by 7 points through the long break. In the second half, Galatasaray extended and eased to victory, including a 23-11 third act.
Group C – ALBA Berlin vs. Limoges CSP, 78-84
Group C is almost closed for business. French champs Limoges took a huge step to the Top 16 by defeating already qualified ALBA Berlin. The win moves Limoges to 4-4, the same record as Berlin. However, the French team must wait for results tomorrow. If Bilbao (1-6) beats Partizan Belgrade (1-6) tomorrow, Limoges progresses. The visitors were losing 47-42 through halftime, but used a 10-23 run in the third quarter to wrestle back the momentum and claim the victory.
Group D – Zenit St. Petersburg vs. ASVEL, 89-92
The tightest group in the 7DAYS EuroCup this season will head to the final round next week to be decided. However, ASVEL used this road win to put a foot in the next round (5-3). If Gran Canaria and Tofas Bursa win tomorrow, the French team will qualify. Zenit, currently in 4th spot on 4-4 will go to the final week for sure in its effort to make the knockout stages. This was a very close game, with ASVEL erasing a double-digit deficit thanks to a 20-29 run in the fourth act.