European Basketball Roundup
Our pick of the weekend’s European Basketball action brings all the exciting hoops. In Spain, Real Madrid concluded an impressive year in style, while Barcelona kept its domestic form solid. Elsewhere, Olympiacos and Milan continued to dominate their respective leagues, while Monaco continued to set the pace in France.
Spain
This weekend was all about Real Madrid. The reigning Liga Endesa champions demolished Rio Natura Monbus Obradoiro 106-59 in Round 13. It was a 24th victory for Los Blancos at home this season in the league. The win ensured a 100% home record for 2016 and pushed Madrid further ahead at the top with a 12-1 record. Elsewhere, Barcelona kept pressure on Real Madrid with a 79-77 win over Joventut, Unicaja Malaga beat Estudiantes 76-87, Valencia downed Tenerife 74-58, Zaragoza eased 90-74 over Andorra, Gran Canaria destroyed Manresa 70-102, Fuenlabrada edged Sevilla 73-78, and Murcia defeated Bilbao 97-71.
Greece
Round 11 of the Greek A1 went to form as Olympiacos continued to dominate the division. The Piraeus giant downed PAOK 84-89 on the road to stay unblemished at 11-0. Nearest opponent and great rival Panathinaikos was also made to work hard, eventually overcoming Aiolos Trikallon 77-79 to move to 10-1 in second place. Third ranked AEK Athens continued its good form with a cruising 84-60 home win over Doxa Lefkada to move to 9-2.
France
Pro A pace setter Monaco continued to look good with a comfortable 77-62 victory over Strasbourg. The win puts the leaders on 11-2. Chalon kept pressure on Monaco earlier in the week with a 74-83 road success over Le Portel to stay second with a 10-3 record. The other results this week were Gravelines Dunkerque winning 75-67 over Antibes, Limoges taking out Le Mans 71-77, Orleans edging Chalon-Reims 89-84, and ASVEL Lyon beating Cholet 71-67.
Italy
Milan’s hold on Italian Basketball continued this weekend as the reigning champs and Euroleague team secured a 99-86 win over Enel Brindisi. The win puts Milan on 11-1 with two more wins than any other club. Second placed Umana Venecia beat Brescia 78-80 to move to 9-3. In the other games, Vanoli lost 73-86 to Scandone AV, Dolimit defeated Varese 84-68, and Pesaro downed JuveCasarta 82-87.
VTB League
A clash at the top of the standings saw CSKA Moscow play host to Khimki Moscow Region. This derby game saw current five-time champ CSKA beat its rival 95-79 to tie first place with a 9-1 record, while Khimki moves to second with a 7-2 showing. Joint leader Unics Kazan continued to impress with a 77-84 win over Avtodor Saratov.