EuroLeague 2315
Partizan need to find their nasty streak
Partizan won the type of Euroleague game they’d have thrown away last season. Zeljko Obradovic’s side survived their own second half slump to see off a game Anadolu Efes side. The pieces are there, writes Emmet Ryan, they just need to find their inner unpleasant person You’ve got to love search rankings because putting motherfucker* […]
Nigel Williams-Goss and the power of a good fit
We knew Nigel Williams-Goss was very good at basketball before he signed for Zalgiris Kaunas. Few of us could have imagined how well he’d fit in the Lithuanian club’s style. Emmet Ryan on a potentially revelatory season for Williams-Goss in Euroleague. Nigel Williams-Goss has looked like the star in Euroleague he was always meant to […]
The problem with expanding Euroleague’s post-season
Dimitris Itoudis wants to see more teams in the Euroleague playoffs, a lot more. Be careful what you wish for, warns Emmet Ryan, as the NBA example teaches a different lesson to what the great coach thinks. Dimitris Itoudis likes to talk about the format of basketball competitions. That immediately makes him someone this site […]
Do Olympiacos know what they want to be?
A trip to Spain in the opening week of Euroleague saw Olympiacos split their two games. A tight win over Baskonia was followed by being outsmarted by Real Madrid. What was lacking was the one thing few expected, an understanding of their own identity. Let’s get the important bit out of the way. This is […]
Forza Achi
This is not an ordinary season. This is far from an ordinary situation. Achille Polonara won’t take the floor this season. We all know why. Emmet Ryan on the Italian that was universally beloved before his current medical situation and why a continent is behind him. Achille Polonara is a baller, a father, a teammate, […]
Fenerbahce Finish the Job as Jasikevicius Strikes Gold
Fenerbahce knew they were in for a fight but, as the confetti rained at the Euroleague Final Four, it was Sarunas Jasikevicius and company who could celebrate. The final proved one game too far for Vassilis Spanoulis in his maiden season with a gallant AS Monaco. The Big Yellow Machine had a lot of new […]
Fenerbahce v Monaco: Two Roads, One Euroleague Title
It all comes down to this. Fenerbahce, led by Sarunas Jasikevicius, and AS Monaco, led by Vassilis Spanoulis, conclude the Euroleague Final Four and, indeed, the whole season, with the title game in Abu Dhabi. Emmet Ryan on what to expect on Sunday night. After 34 regular season rounds, the playoffs, and the Euroleague Final […]
AS Monaco Stun Olympiacos to Make Euroleague Final
Fourth time was supposed to be the charm for Olympiacos, right? The Reds were like a deer in the headlights as Vassilis Spanoulis and AS Monaco first outsmarted them and then outplayed them at the Euroleague Final Four. The Roca Team rock on to the final. Mike James had said on Thursday night that AS […]
Panathinaikos Fall as Fenerbahce Find Their Moment
Panathinaikos came to Abu Dhabi looking to go back-to-back at the Euroleague Final Four for the first time ever. Fenerbahce came out to crush the narrative. The Big Yellow Machine weathered the storm to decisively book their place in Sunday’s final. This was always going to be tense. The first game at every Euroleague Final […]
Euroleague Final Four: Olympiacos vs AS Monaco preview
It’s Vassilis Spanoulis against the club where he made his legacy. The second semi-final of the Euroleague Final Four in Abu Dhabi pits Olympiacos against AS Monaco. Emmet Ryan breaks it down and makes his fearless prediction. This sport isn’t scripted but you could hardly have written a better one for this. Vassilis Spanoulis, in […]
Euroleague Final Four: Panathinaikos vs Fenerbahce preview
The time for talk is almost over. The Euroleague Final Four tips off in Abu Dhabi on Friday as Panathinaikos, the defending champions, take on an impressive Fenerbahce side. Emmet Ryan breaks down the first semi-final and makes his pick to progress. The heat in Abu Dhabi is roasting. Even in the air-conditioned confines of […]
Olympiacos vs Panathinaikos? Euroleague’s Dream Derby Looms
It would require both of them winning on Friday in the Euroleague Final Four. Still, a potential clash of Olympiacos and Panathinaikos in Abu Dhabi would be an extraordinary way to cap the season. Emmet Ryan on why the rare possibility holds so much intrigue in Greece and far beyond. This column is being written […]