By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Game 2 of a best-of-three series will either produce a sweep or force a deciding Game 3. This is the situation surrounding the eight remaining Basketball Champions League contenders. Two games on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday shape the schedule of the second week of the Quarterfinals.
In Istanbul, Galatasaray hosts ERA Nymburk as the only side looking to clinch a berth in the Final Four at home. Having won the last six BCL games in the Basketball Development Center is certainly a huge confidence boost. The team coached by Yakup Sekizkok can also match a team record with four straight wins in the Champions League.
More action on Tuesday puts UnaHotels Reggio Emilia and defending champion Unicaja in PalaBigi. Last week, the team based in Malaga comfortably opened a 1-0 lead, but Game 2 is a new setting.
On Wednesday, Bertram Derthona Tortona aims for an eighth straight BCL win in PalaFerraris to set up a Game 3 versus La Laguna Tenerife.
Similar to the above Italian clubs and Nymburk, Nanterre 92 faces elimination with AEK Betsson visiting Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez on Wednesday.
Quarterfinals
| Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 (if necessary) | ||
| 1 | La Laguna Tenerife – Bertram Derthona Tortona | 93-89 | 16/4, 18:30 CET | 23/4, 21:45 CET |
| 2 | ERA Nymburk – Galatasaray | 80-106 | 15/4, 18:00 CET | 23/4, 18:30 CET |
| 3 | AEK Betsson – Nanterre 92 | 76-69 | 16/4, 20:30 CET | 23/4, 18:30 CET |
| 4 | Unicaja – UnaHotels Reggio Emilia | 105-68 | 15/4, 20:00 CET | 23/4, 20:00 CET |
Final Four (Athens or Paris)
Semifinals
Winners 1-2
Winners 3-4
Third-place game
Losers of Semifinals
Final
Winners of Semifinals
Photo Credit: FIBA