EuroLeague 2336
Olympiacos finally conquer Real Madrid for Euroleague title
There was drama, despair, and determination throughout these furious forty minutes in the Oaka. The culmination of the Euroleague Final Four saw Olympiacos put to an enormous test by Real Madrid but finally emerged triumphant. Emmet Ryan reports on the night the Reds finally got over the line. The Olympiacos chants began over three hours […]
Real Madrid are still the final boss
In a season filled with variety and surprises, somehow the most normal thing happened. Real Madrid beat Valencia at the Euroleague Final Four. They are inevitable. Emmet Ryan on how even a wounded version of Los Blancos just made it look like normal business. We really should have seen this coming. I’m sure that many […]
Sasha Vezenkov leaves no doubt for Olympiacos
In the first half, Olympiacos wowed us with modular basketball. In the second, Sasha Vezenkov decided to leave no doubt. A convincing win over Fenerbahce saw them advance to Sunday’s title game at the Euroleague Final Four. Emmet Ryan shares his thoughts from Athens. Sasha Vezenkov has won all the individual accolades as well as […]
Sasha Vezenkov has one last step to take
He has the individual accolades to go with the domestic titles and adoration from Olympiacos fans. The one thing Sasha Vezenkov is missing is a Euroleague title. In Athens, he gets a chance to change that. Sasha Vezenkov has done everything he could in Euroleague basketball and more, bar that one thing. He has Euroleague […]
Nando de Colo came back for one last job
This looks like a romantic finale, Nando de Colo having one last Euroleague Final Four with Fenerbahce. The reality is far more pragmatic. He wasn’t signed for a sentimental farewell but to fulfil a vital function. Emmet Ryan on how the veteran is filling a crucial role for Sarunas Jasikevicius. Nando de Colo doesn’t need […]
Usman Garuba found the right way back
He wasn’t the first and he won’t be the last. Usman Garuba impressed as a young gun in Europe, made the leap to the NBA, and came back having struggled to find a place. Now, as he enters a Euroleague Final Four with Real Madrid, Garuba has a stage to prove his relevance more than […]
Jean Montero shows the madness of modern basketball
Jean Montero is the star for Valencia ahead of the club’s first ever appearance in the Euroleague Final Four. Yet the discussions of his future, be they a big money move in Europe, a jump to the NCAA, or finding an NBA opportunity, dominate the conversation around him. Emmet Ryan on how Montero just being […]
Valencia refuse to blink and reach Euroleague Final Four
Valencia took the best punches Panathinaikos could throw and asked them to hit harder. In only their second ever trip to the playoffs, they are headed to the Euroleague Final Four. Emmet Ryan on how hockey subs, an unselfish attitude typified by Jean Montero, and a refusal to let fear creep in guided them to […]
Panathinaikos and Valencia have turned Game 5 into theatre
They are the two greatest words in European basketball; Game 5. Wednesday’s battle between Panathinaikos and Valencia is already historic for a range of reasons but it’s the drama behind this burgeoning Euroleague rivalry that has got a continent salivating. Emmet Ryan on what promises to be an extraordinary night. The first two games teed […]
Achille Polonara leaves basketball beloved and unbowed
This is not a time to be sad. It is one of celebration. Achille Polonara has announced his retirement from basketball. Obviously we’ll miss him but he won’t be far away. Emmet Ryan on a man whose approach on the court led to so much love when he needed it away from it. Achille Polonara […]
European basketball is wasting its biggest nights
It’s a great time of year if you’re a basketball fan. All four of the pan-continental competitions have either reached or are hitting their climaxes. Yet all involved with the Euroleague, the Basketball Champions League, Eurocup, and the FIBA Europe Cup missed opportunities. Emmet Ryan on why scheduling collaboration is needed. It’s a simple problem […]
Real Madrid turn crisis into control
No Edy, no problem. Real Madrid reminded us just how capable they are of adapting, even without Walter Tavares. On Friday night, missing arguably their most important player, they just plain decided they would beat Hapoel Tel Aviv in Game 2 of the Euroleague playoffs. Emmet Ryan on the sheer inevitability of Los Blancos. Losing […]