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While the NBA captures all the headlines in the world of pro basketball, the EuroCup really should demand your attention. There is an extremely high level of play in this competition, and if you are looking to explore more global action, check out the top basketball leagues to follow. There is still time to wager, as we are currently in the semi-finals stage of the tournament. Let’s take a closer look at this league, as well as how it might play out.
Season Format
During the regular season, the 20 teams are split into 2 groups of 10, with each team playing an 18-game season. The top two teams in each group get an automatic pass into the quarterfinals, while the teams seeded 2 through 6 go into a playoff that is known as the Eightfinals. These games are single elimination, which adds some real jeopardy to the postseason drama. The single elimination format continues in the quarterfinals, while the semis and the final are played in a best-of-3 format, with the higher seed getting home court advantage. The Group A champions meet the Group B playoff champions in the final. We are now at the semi-finals stage, so let’s take a closer look at what went down to this point.
ⓘ EuroCup Format Snapshot
- Teams: 20
- Groups: 2 groups of 10
- Regular Season: 18 games per team
- Quarterfinal Entry: Top two teams in each group get an automatic pass into the quarterfinals
- Eightfinals: Teams seeded 2 through 6 go into the playoff known as the Eightfinals
- Early Rounds: Single elimination
- Semis and Final: Best-of-3 format
- Home Court Advantage: Higher seed gets home court advantage
- Final Matchup: The Group A champions meet the Group B playoff champions in the final
| Stage | Format | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 20 teams split into 2 groups of 10 | Each team plays an 18-game season |
| Quarterfinal Qualification | Top two teams in each group | Automatic pass into the quarterfinals |
| Eightfinals | Teams seeded 2 through 6 | Single elimination playoff |
| Quarterfinals | Single elimination | Postseason drama continues |
| Semi-finals | Best-of-3 | Higher seed gets home court advantage |
| Final | Best-of-3 | Group A champions meet Group B playoff champions |
Playoffs Progress
In Group A, we had Hapoel and Bahcesehir take the top 2 spots and gain a bye to the quarterfinals. In Group B, it was Besiktas and Cosea taking the tops spot and getting a bye.
- Group A bye teams: Hapoel and Bahcesehir
- Group B bye teams: Besiktas and Cosea
We had 8 teams head into the Eightfinals, most of which proved to be a little lopsided. Turk Telecom routed BAXI 98-81, while Cluj-Napoca hammered Buducnost 100-82. Ljubljana took out NINERS 73-65, while Dolomiti beat Venice 94-90, setting up the quarterfinals.
| Matchup | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Turk Telecom vs BAXI | 98-81 | Turk Telecom |
| Cluj-Napoca vs Buducnost | 100-82 | Cluj-Napoca |
| Ljubljana vs NINERS | 73-65 | Ljubljana |
| Dolomiti vs Venice | 94-90 | Dolomiti |
Things got a whole lot tighter in the quarterfinals, including what was very nearly a serious upset. Bahcesehir beat Cluj-Napoca 75-72 in a thriller, while Cosea edged Ljubljana 83-79. The feeling was that Besiktas, who went unbeaten at home in the regular season, would cruise to the final. They were made to work, though, beating Dolomiti 77-76 on home court. That might well have served as a wake-up call. In the final quarterfinal game, we had Turk Telecom eke out a 91-90 win over Hapoel. With the semifinals set, things now switch to a best-of-3 from this point forward. Again, the higher seeded teams get home court advantage in the series.
| Matchup | Result | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Bahcesehir vs Cluj-Napoca | 75-72 | Bahcesehir |
| Cosea vs Ljubljana | 83-79 | Cosea |
| Besiktas vs Dolomiti | 77-76 | Besiktas |
| Turk Telecom vs Hapoel | 91-90 | Turk Telecom |
⚠ Quarterfinal Note
The feeling was that Besiktas, who went unbeaten at home in the regular season, would cruise to the final. They were made to work, though, beating Dolomiti 77-76 on home court. That might well have served as a wake-up call.
Current State of the Semi-Finals
As we just mentioned, we are now in a best-of-3 scenario, so winning the first game at home seems to be a must for the higher seeds. Besiktas got the job done in rather convincing fashion, shaking of the near upset in the previous round to deliver a 91-73 win over Bahcesehir. Things did not go so well for Cosea, who lost at home to Tirk Telekom, going down 99-71 in their own building. Turk Telecom can now go home and wrap up their place in the final.
| Series | Game 1 Result | Current Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Besiktas vs Bahcesehir | Besiktas 91-73 Bahcesehir | Besiktas |
| Cosea vs Tirk Telekom | Tirk Telekom 99-71 Cosea | Turk Telecom |
- Best-of-3 scenario: Winning the first game at home seems to be a must for the higher seeds
- Besiktas: Delivered a 91-73 win over Bahcesehir
- Cosea: Lost at home to Tirk Telekom 99-71
- Turk Telecom: Can now go home and wrap up their place in the final
Championship Prediction
You cannot overlook the fact that Besiktas has home court advantage. They have not lost in their own building all season long, which gives them a monumental edge. I think they close out the semis quickly, and I think they will face Turk Telecom in the Final. I am taking Besiktas to win the best-of-3 finals 2-0 and walk away with the EuroCop championship.
★ Championship Pick
- Projected Final: Besiktas vs Turk Telecom
- Predicted Series Result: Besiktas 2-0
- Predicted Champion: Besiktas
^ TopBesiktas and Turk Telecom are now in strong positions as the EuroCup semi-finals continue, with the tournament shifting into a best-of-3 battle for a place in the Final.
— EuroCup Basketball
