Real Madrid-Zalgiris: the EuroLeague returns to the WiZink Center
Five months following the epic comeback against Partizan in the playoffs, Chus Mateo's team play their first European home game of the campaign (8:45pm CEST).
The EuroLeague is back with a bang at the WiZink Center, the first time it will host a game in the competition since the unforgettable Game 5 playoff clash with Partizan on the 10th of May. This time, Real Madrid are reigning European champions and sit level at the top of the table thanks to wins in their opening two games on the road. Today, we welcome another unbeaten team - the always competitive Zalgiris.
The team kicks off another three-game week with the first of a EuroLeague double-header they host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Thursday, coupled with the weekend's league clash against Tenerife Sunday, 13:00pm CEST. It's also the first of three consecutive home games in the continental competition, with the Clásico still to come Thursday 26. It's been an impeccable start to the season so far with nine straight wins, plus the victory over Dallas Mavericks - including two on the road in Europe against Baskonia and Anadolu Efes. Tonight holds another tough test for Madrid against Zalgiris, another of the four unbeaten teams. The Lithuanians won on their trip to Virtus Bolonia by 13 points, before beating Crvena zvezda by five on home turf.
The team kicks off another three-game week with the first of a EuroLeague double-header they host EA7 Emporio Armani Milan on Thursday, coupled with the weekend's league clash against Tenerife Sunday, 13:00pm CEST. It's also the first of three consecutive home games in the continental competition, with the Clásico still to come Thursday 26. It's been an impeccable start to the season so far with nine straight wins, plus the victory over Dallas Mavericks - including two on the road in Europe against Baskonia and Anadolu Efes. Tonight holds another tough test for Madrid against Zalgiris, another of the four unbeaten teams. The Lithuanians won on their trip to Virtus Bolonia by 13 points, before beating Crvena zvezda by five on home turf.
Real Madrid come into the game off the back of a stunning week in offensive terms, having broken the 100-point mark in all three games played: 127 against the Dallas Mavericks, 103 against Anadolu Efes and 106 against UCAM Murcia. Exhibition after exhibition to average 93.3 points so far this season. The key so far has been the collective nature of the offense, but Yabusele has been a standout name with his 20.5 points and a PIR of 30.5 making him the competition leader in both stats, and bagging him MVP of the last round. But he's not the only one enjoying some stunning form. Campazzo has posted two straight double-doubles, against Anadolu Efes 15 points and 10 assists and UCAM Murcia 14 and 10, another superb performer in this well-functioning group.
Tough test for the offense
The Lithuanians are a compact, reliable unit whose strength lies in their collective strength rather than individual talent. They have conceded an average of 76.5 points in their opening two games. They may have lost Brazdeikis but Evans is showing some fine form 16.5 points and they boast a versatile, mobile interior with Smits, Ulanovas and Hayes. Today, all eyes are on a third consecutive EuroLeague win.
Tough test for the offense
The Lithuanians are a compact, reliable unit whose strength lies in their collective strength rather than individual talent. They have conceded an average of 76.5 points in their opening two games. They may have lost Brazdeikis but Evans is showing some fine form 16.5 points and they boast a versatile, mobile interior with Smits, Ulanovas and Hayes. Today, all eyes are on a third consecutive EuroLeague win.