EuroCup: Home Comforts in Last 8
The EuroCup quarterfinals got underway on Tuesday with all four ties taking place. The round will be played over two legs, with the aggregate score winner progressing to the semi-finals. On Tuesday, it was clear home advantage will play a big part in this last eight round. All the host clubs picked up wins, although each tie remains wide open with the second leg to come.
Darussafaka Istanbul vs. Buducnost VOLI Podgorica, 57-54
Hardly a EuroCup classic, this contest did little to decide which of these clubs will progress to the semi-finals, despite Darussafaka taking a lead in the first leg. The Turkish club had home advantage and in Podgorica next week Buducnost will fancy overturning this deficit. This low-scoring contest could have ended more emphatically for the hosts after a 19-9 third act. Buducnost recovered from that awful frame to snatch the fourth 11-19 to make it anyone’s tie next week. Fans will be hoping for a more thrilling contest when it’s make or break in Podgorica.
FC Bayern Munich vs. Unics Kazan, 83-75
One of the most anticipated ties of the EuroCup quarterfinals saw Bayern welcome Unics Kazan to Munich. The German hosts were not good hosts as they took out the Russian club with a stylish win. An 8-point cushion will give Bayern home in Kazan next week, but equally Unics will feel the gap is close enough to overturn. In this contest, Munich led by a single point (33-32) through the long break, but steadily pulled away in the second half, including a big 28-point haul in the fourth quarter.
Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar vs. Herbalife Gran Canaria, 79-74
Lokomotiv has simply been the best club in the competition this season and remains undefeated. Despite maintaining its 100% record, the Russian club is in real danger next week heading to Gran Canaria. Yes, Lokomotiv has a five-point lead, but that’s not a lot heading to the Spanish island club next week. Gran Canaria is a real threat in this tie. Still, it could have been a disaster for Lokomotiv as the hosts trailed 39-47 through halftime. Lokomotiv showed its fighting qualities with a 40-27 second half that snatched the win.
Grissin Bon Reggio Emilia vs. Zenit St. Petersburg, 75-61
Of all the clubs, Reggio Emilia is the happiest this evening as it holds the biggest cushion heading into the second leg next week. The Italian club had too much for Zenit St. Petersburg and 14 points is a healthy lead. However, Zenit is a different animal at home so expect fireworks in Russian next week. A 22-15 run in the second frame allowed the hosts to control the game and secure a tidy win with a 21-15 fourth act.