Bayern Munich spoils the return of Pau Gasol in the EuroLeague

Bayern Munich rallied past FC Barcelona at home (72-82) and spoilt the return of the legendary Pau Gasol in the EuroLeague.

Thanks to their win, the Bavarians finished fifth in the standings (21-13) and will now face Armani Milano in the EuroLeague playoffs.

At the same time, FC Barcelona had already secured the first place on the table and will play either Zenit Saint Petersburg or Valencia in the postseason.

Gasol started in his first game back with the team after 20 years. He scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds in 13 minutes on the floor.

“I am happy, very happy that I played today after more than two years. I didn’t even expect to feel so well. It is an important step forwards and now, I have to keep working with the same energy and willingness to do better in the next game,” Gasol told reporters afterwards.

Armani Milano dominated Anadolu Efes at home (98-75) and clinched the home-court advantage in the EuroLeague playoffs.

The Italians led from start to finish and cruised to the win, as Efes couldn’t come closer than seven points.

Armani will now battle with Bayern in the postseason, whereas Efes (third on the table) will clash with sixth-placed Real Madrid.

Zenit St Petersburg came one step away from advancing to the EuroLeague playoffs after its 86-69 home win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

The Russians (19-14) now need to defeat Panathinaikos at home on Monday in order to claim the eighth place. Otherwise, they will be eliminated and Valencia (19-15) will qualify.

For their part, Maccabi had already been eliminated from the postseason in the EuroLeague.

Olympiacos earned its fifth win in the last seven EuroLeague games after rallying past Khimki at home (82-75).

The “Reds” finished 12th overall with a 16-18 record. On the other hand, Khimki finished the 2020-21 EuroLeague season at the bottom of the standings, at 4-30.

The EuroLeague Playoffs will be played from April 20 to May 5, 2021. Eight teams will play best-of-five-series, with the winners advancing to the Final Four.

Playoff A: FC Barcelona (RS 1) vs. Regular Season 8th

Playoff B: AX Armani Exchange Milan (RS 4) vs. FC Bayern Munich (RS 5)

Playoff C: Anadolu Efes Istanbul (RS 3) vs. Real Madrid (RS 6)

Playoff D: CSKA Moscow (RS 2) vs. Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul (RS 7)