Panathinaikos was the rival that none of the seeds wanted in the Euroleague playoffs. One of the favorites for the title and host of the Final Four can still fall to the Valencia Basket. Another team to avoid was the Hapoel Tel Aviv. In that case, in addition to sports, logistical problems. It fell to Real Madrid, who are already thinking about a complicated series on and off the court.
After the exhausting regular season, the whites finished third and earned the privilege of having a home court factor in the playoffs. A not trivial detail, since 81% of the teams that enjoyed it ended up playing in the Final Four. I would be an adulteration of the competition that in that quarterfinal series the matches at the Movistar Arena had to be played behind closed doors, as has happened in the previous duels against Hapoel and Maccabithe two Israeli clubs in the competition.
Mario Hezonja shoots a basket during the game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
On March 24, during Hapoel’s last visit, the Madrid pavilion did not have spectators for security reasons.. The Government Delegation had announced days before that the match had been declared high risk and that it would have an extensive security device. Madrid, despite not having their fans in the stands, won 92-83.
From the Berserkers, the main entertainment group of the Madrid teamhave issued a message in which they trusted that “the club firmly defends its interests and those of all Madrid fans and fights for the match to be played with the public.”. It is necessary to do everything possible. We demand “That the Government Delegation in Madrid stops doing politics and allows us to enjoy sport”.
Valencia Basket had at least its subscribers
First because of the genocide in Gaza and then with the war against Iran, both the white club and Barcelona and Kosner Baskonia have played their matches against Israeli teams behind closed doors for security reasons and to avoid protests in the pavilions. The only Spanish club that welcomed spectators in a match against Jews was Valencia Basket, which allowed its subscribers to enter the Roig Arena. to witness the duel against Maccabi. There were almost 8,000. Against Hapoel, back in October, it was also with the pavilion empty.
Chuma Okeke shoots against Vasilije Micic’s defense.
Until the playoff series starts next Tuesday, April 28, Real Madrid will hold meetings with the authorities to try to assert a home court factor that has been earned on the court and that it would be regrettable if he lost in the offices just when the most important section of the maximum continental competition arrives.
Hapoelmeanwhile, after being allowed to play again in Israel, has had to go into exile again due to the war against Iran. Plays its matches at Arena 8888 in Sofiacapital of Bulgaria, but, despite being on neutral ground, he saw how there 10,900 fans in their last home game in the regular season against Olympiacos.
