MUNICH (Germany) - This season’s FIBA Europe Cup is down to its last eight teams, with the journey to the Finals entering its decisive phase.
The four Quarter-Final matchups get underway on March 11 and will be contested over two legs. The higher-seeded team will have the advantage of hosting the second leg.
Take a closer look at each Quarter-Final showdown and see how the teams stack up — then make your predictions for who will advance.
PAOK BC vs Peristeri Betsson
First Leg: Wednesday, March 11 – 16:00 CET (Thessaloniki, GRE) Second Leg: Wednesday, March 18 – 17:30 CET (Peristeri, GRE)
An interesting Quarter-Final matchup between two teams that have gone about their business efficiently this season. They say home-court advantage is key, but Peristeri have thrown that script out of the window, and will fancy their chances against a PAOK side who have only lost once in six games on their home floor. Peristeri’s two losses this season have been at home, while PAOK’s away mark is a respectable 4-2. The first leg will be pivotal.
Key matchup: Cleveland Melwin (PAOK) vs Jake Van Tubbergen (Peristeri)
Stats don’t lie: On the whole, both sides are fairly even, statistically. PAOK is third in points per game at 87.2, but their fellow Greek counterparts score 85.8 per contest. Peristeri’s unbeaten away record throws home-court advantage out of this tie, they are currently a flawless 6-0 away from home.
Falco Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely vs KK Bosna BH Telecom
First Leg: Wednesday, March 11 – 17:00 CET (Szombathely, HUN) Second Leg: Wednesday, March 18 – 19:00 CET (Sarajevo, BIH)
KC Szombathely and KK Bosna were undoubtedly the talk of the Second Round, but one fairytale run will come to an end in the Quarter-Finals. Szombathely were hanging on by a thread until wins in their final two games, mixed with defeats to the heavily fancied Rostock Seawolves, sealed their place, whereas Bosna shrugged off the loss of its star player, Chase Audige, and Edin Atic stepped up superbly alongside Alfonso Plummer to breeze into the last eight.
Key matchup: Zoltan Perl (Szombathely) vs Alfonso Plummer (Bosna)
Stats don’t lie: This Quarter-Final tie features the two lowest scoring teams out of the last eight, with Szombathely putting up 81.7 points per game and KK Bosna an even lower 79.4. However, the Bosnian side is on a three-game winning streak that could see them have the advantage. Either way, expect a heavily tactical battle.
Aliaga Petkimspor vs Surne Bilbao Basket
First Leg: Wednesday, March 11 – 17:30 CET (Izmir, TUR) Second Leg: Wednesday, March 18 – 19:00 CET (Bilbao, ESP)
The current FIBA Europe Cup holders, Surne Bilbao Basket, have been the hottest team in the competition so far, with 11 straight wins en route to the Quarter-Finals. However, they face debutants Aliaga Petkimspor, who have shown tremendous fighting spirit throughout, showcasing their dominance and highlighting their grit in clawing out victories. This should be an intriguing matchup.
Key matchup: Yannick Franke (Petkimspor) vs Melwin Pantzar (Bilbao)
Stats don’t lie: Aliaga Petkimspor will face their biggest challenge to date, and ultimately have nothing to lose, which has always proved to be a dangerous stat in its own right. However, they face the hottest offensive team in the FIBA Europe Cup right now, with Bilbao putting up a staggering 96.7 points per game. If the Turkish side can keep Bilbao below 80 points, they might have a chance.
Pallacanestro Reggiana vs UCAM Murcia
First Leg: Wednesday, March 11 – 19:00 CET (Reggio Emilia, ITA) Second Leg: Wednesday, March 18 – 19:30 CET (Murcia, ESP)
UCAM Murcia have kept up the pace with Bilbao in the FIBA Europe Cup, with just the one loss, and head to the Quarter-Finals as a team going about their business with a mix of dominance and performing well down the stretch. They face a Pallacanestro Reggiana side has had an inconsistent season, yet has somehow made it to this point. A 3-3 record in the Regular Season was followed by an improved 4-2 mark in the Second Round.
Key matchup: Troy Caupain (Pallacanestro Reggiana) vs Michael Forrest (UCAM Murcia)
Stats don’t lie: Murcia are on a 10-game heater right now, with an average winning margin of 16.6 points. They have been ruthless since their loss to Bosna on Gameday 2. However, Reggiana have to wipe the slate clean. Despite an inconsistent competition, they are still in the Quarter-Finals, and they will be aiming to rock their Spanish counterparts.
FIBA