Madrid eye a place in the EuroLeague final
Real Madrid, who won the Clásico in last year's semi-finals, are back up against Barcelona for a place in the final in Kaunas (8:00pm CEST).
One year on from the last time, Real Madrid and Barcelona go head-to-head once again in the EuroLeague semi-finals. In Belgrade, and on the two previous occasions we have faced the azulgranas in the first clash of the Final Four London 2013 and Milan 2014, our team booked their place in the EuroLeague showpiece. Tonight, Kaunas' Zalgirio Arena is the setting as we look to progress so a second final in a row and our sixth in the last 10 years.
Two of the most dominant sides in Europe in recent times are pitted against each other in one of the continent's basketball hotbeds. Real Madrid are into a ninth semi-final since 2011, while Barcelona will be present at the Final Four for a third edition in a row, the sixth since 2012. In terms of title wins, it's 10 European Cups for Madrid, to Barcelona's two.
Two of the most dominant sides in Europe in recent times are pitted against each other in one of the continent's basketball hotbeds. Real Madrid are into a ninth semi-final since 2011, while Barcelona will be present at the Final Four for a third edition in a row, the sixth since 2012. In terms of title wins, it's 10 European Cups for Madrid, to Barcelona's two.
Real Madrid will have to deal with some big absentees with Deck, Yabusele and, as Chus Mateo said, Poirier, 99% sure to miss out. Barcelona are without Higgins. Our team come into the clash boosted by their historic feat in the playoff which saw them eliminate Partizan from 0-2 down and despite trailing by 18 points in the third quarter of Game 5. Chus Mateo's boys are also on a seven-game winning run three against Partizan, plus league victories over Zaragoza, Unicaja, Valencia Basket and Gran Canaria. Barcelona are in fine form themselves, easily winning their playoff series with Zalgiris 3-0.
Experience set to prove a key factor
Both of these teams boast extensive experience in the Final Four but on an individual basis, Madrid undoubtedly have the edge. The trio of Llull 9, Sergio Rodríguez 8 and Rudy 8 alone total 25 appearances in this stage of the competition. The head-to-head in this EuroLeague campaign sits at 1-1, with each team winning their home fixture. Barcelona came out on top at the Palau, 75-73; while Madrid won 91-86 at the WiZink Center. Tavares, the EuroLeague's best defender for a third time and Musa, both in the tournament's best five, are the team's leading lights. For Jasikevicius' team, Mirotic, Laprovittola and Vesely are top performers so far. One place in the final will be decided from 8:00pm.
Experience set to prove a key factor
Both of these teams boast extensive experience in the Final Four but on an individual basis, Madrid undoubtedly have the edge. The trio of Llull 9, Sergio Rodríguez 8 and Rudy 8 alone total 25 appearances in this stage of the competition. The head-to-head in this EuroLeague campaign sits at 1-1, with each team winning their home fixture. Barcelona came out on top at the Palau, 75-73; while Madrid won 91-86 at the WiZink Center. Tavares, the EuroLeague's best defender for a third time and Musa, both in the tournament's best five, are the team's leading lights. For Jasikevicius' team, Mirotic, Laprovittola and Vesely are top performers so far. One place in the final will be decided from 8:00pm.