By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Preseason EuroLeague action took center stage on Saturday as Panathinaikos Aktor secured a comfortable 77-59 victory over Basketball Champions League outfit Spartak Office Shoes, completing a flawless run at the International Tournament Rhodes. Powered by an impressive barrage of 16 three-pointers and Guerschon Yabusele’s 12 second-half points, the Greens dominated the matchup despite facing a brief third-quarter response from the team based in Subotica. The commanding cushion allowed head coach Zeljko Obradovic to cycle through his entire roster, utilizing his bench players during the game’s final minutes to maintain their momentum following Friday’s victory against local rivals AEK.
Later in the day, a marquee trophy matchup featured Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid squaring off against BCL championship contender Unicaja to decide the winner of the 15th Costa del Sol Tournament in Malaga. Both teams entered the direct winner-take-all clash undefeated, after each secured victories over BKT EuroCup opponent La Laguna Tenerife earlier in the week.
Outside of these prime matchups, the AdmiralBet Open Air Tournament in Belgrade focuses on an intense battle between Besiktas and Partizan de Fuenlabrada, keeping the competitive energy alive before Sunday’s finale, where the tournament hosts Partizan Mozzart Bet will face off against their fellow EuroLeague outfit, Besiktas.
Italian courts are also witnessing heavy action with a double-header, including the International Trophy Citta di Biella, where a revamped Armani Olimpia Milan roster tests its tactical chemistry against PAOK. Meanwhile, the 16th City of Cagliari Tournament Semifinals feature Hapoel Tel Aviv going head-to-head with Maxima Roma, followed closely by FC Bayern Munich taking on LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne to decide tomorrow’s finalists.
To round out the packed schedule, the 11th EncestaRias Tournament is wrapping up in Pontevedra, where Kosner Baskonia will battle Valencia for the preseason title right after ALBA Berlin’s third-place consolation game against Monbus Obradoiro.
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google