EuroCup Top 16: final round tips off

We are at the final round of the EuroCup Top 16, the second group stage of the competition. Many clubs have already booked passage to the quarter-finals, but there is still something to play for in Group F and Group H this week. To start off the final EuroCup Top 16 round, there was a single game in Group E and one in Group H on Tuesday. The remainder of the round will be settled with six contests on Wednesday.

Group E

Galatasaray Istanbul vs. ALBA Berlin, 92-97

These two teams met in a dead rubber as neither could qualify from the EuroCup Top 16. However, the teams could play for pride and for third place in Group E. ALBA Berlin came away with a win over the 2016 champs in a high scoring game where players threw caution to the wind. This was liberated Basketball, but still it needed to be decided through an overtime period. Through regulation, the teams were tied with a 85-85 scoreboard. In the added frame, ALBA Berlin found the momentum to finish the game off and end its EuroCup campaign on a high.

Group H

Grissin Bon Reggion Emilia vs. ASVEL, 75-68

ASVEL travelled to Emilia with both teams on a 3-2 record alongside Unics Kazan. Only a win for either team would 100% guarantee qualification and first place in the group. So, the scene was set for a classic encounter of nerves. Emilia secured the home win after a tight finish to book its place in the next round. ASVEL is not out yet, but needs UNICS Kazan to lose tomorrow if it is to progress. The hosts were down a single point through halftime, but edged the second half to see the game through in a contest that could have gone either way.