By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Eight EuroLeague players gave their predictions on the quarterfinals pairings (CSKA Moscow – Khimki Moscow, Fenerbahce Baskonia, Panathianikos – Real Madrid, Olympiacos – Zalgiris Kaunas) and which teams will advance to the EuroLeague Final Four.
Here are their answers, per Euroleague.net:
Andrea Cinciarini (Olimpia Milano):
“CSKA 3-1. It’s simply the better and more experienced team.”
“Fenerbahce 3-1. Fener‘s defense and size will be decisive.”
“Panathinaikos 3-2. Very close series, but home-court advantage could be the key in Game 5.”
“Olympiacos 3-2. Zalgiris won in Athens during the regular season, but it’s not the same. I don’t expect them to win in Piraeus one more time.”
Daniel Hackett (Brose Bamberg):
CSKA 3-1: “CSKA will win in four games. Their offense is very sharp and they have a lot of weapons to decide a game.”
Fenerbahce – Baskonia 3 – 0: “Fenerbahce will win in three games. I have them as winners of the EuroLeague, so I think that they are gonna sweep Baskonia.”
Panathinaikos 2-3 Madrid: “Real will win five games, because they are stronger and have a deeper roster than Panathinaikos.”
Olympiacos 3-2 Zalgiris: “Olympiacos will win in five games. Zalgiris have been playing a very good season so far, but I think that Olympiacos is a bit more experienced.”
Petteri Koponen (Barcelona):
CSKA 3 – 1: “I think CSKA is the big favorite to win the series and also the whole EuroLeague, so I think CSKA will win 3-1. I hope my former team Khimki will win at least one game at home, but otherwise I think CSKA is gonna win.”
Fenerbahce 3-1 Baskonia: “Ooh, this is a tough one. Baskonia has been playing really well lately, but Fenerbahce is a very solid team. I think it’s gonna be 3-1 for Fenerbahce.”
Panathinaikos 3-2 Madrid: “It can go either way. I say it’s gonna go to the fifth game and in the end Panathinaikos will go to the Final Four 3-2.”
Olympiacos 3-1: “I think Olympiacos is gonna win 3-1. They have more experience. They know what it takes to win in the playoffs. Zalgiris has had a great season, they have a great coach, so maybe they have a little chance, but I think Olympiacos is going to win with their experience and go to the Final Four, 3-1.”
Carlos Suarez (Unicaja Malaga):
CSKA 3-0 Khimki “CSKA 3-0. They are the favorite to win the trophy.”
“Fenerbahce 3-1.: They are the current champions and I think they will play the Final Four.”
Panathinaikos 1-3 Madrid: Real Madrid 1-3. They have players who are very experienced in clutch moments.”
Olympiacos 3-1 Zalgiris: “Olympiacos 3-1. They know how to play the key moments of the games.”
Michael Roll (Maccabi Tel Aviv):
CSKA 3-1 Khimki I think CSKA will win in four games because they are just a very good, well-disciplined team. I think Khimki will be able to answer in their first game at home and CSKA will eventually get it done in four.”
Fenerbahce 3-2 Baskonia: “I think Fenerbahce will win in five because both teams are very good, very evenly matched, long and athletic and I think the home-court advantage gets it done.”
Panathinaikos 3-1 Madrid: I think Panathinaikos will win in four because their switching defense is very stifling and their bigs can really get out and guard the guards and with its length can really slow down some of Madrid’s players.”
Olympiacos 3-1 Zalgiris: “I think Olympiacos wins it in four. Zalgiris makes it tough in Game 3 at home with the crowd and wins and then Olympiacos gets it done in the fourth game.”
CSKA 3-0 Khimki: “CSKA. 3-0. I think that CSKA Moscow will not lose at home and can win on the road.”
Fenerbahce 3-0 Baskonia”Fenerbahce. 3-0. Fenerbahçe plays well at home and I think that they will break the opponent’s resistance.”
Panathinaikos 1-3 Madrid: Real Madrid. I think that they will win on the road. If Llull plays it will be 3-1.”
Olympiacos 3-1 Zalgiris: “Olympiacos. Every year they play at these stages and they are very experienced. 3-1.”