Barcelona vs Real Madrid, the Spanish Classico, is always a highly anticipated match. Especially when this is a clash for the EuroLeague Final Four. Between the two arch rivals, there are no secrets, no new plays, no hidden cards.
Two traditional European basketball powers, Real with 10 European championships (4 since the start of the Euroleague) and Barcelona with 2, are facing each other for the most important game of their season and the most important prize. The ticket to 2022 EuroLeague Championship Game.
This time, it seems Barcelona has the upper hand. They have finished first on the regular season (21-7), they have one of the most impactful players in Nikola Mirotic, the best passer in Euroleague history, Nick Calathes, and with the return of injured Cory Higgins, they are ready to get till the end of the line after last year’s loss to Anadolu Efes in the Final.
The only blind spot is that the “Blaugrana” had a difficult time against Bayern Munich in the playoffs (3-2) and seemed somewhat destabilized in the absence of the injured Cory Higgins.
However, Real is a team not to be underestimated. They have the experience (10 European championships overall), a coach, Pablo Laso, with 7 Final Four appearances and 2 Euroleague trophies and two of the most experienced players in these situations, Sergio Llull and Anthony Randolph.
Their record was the second best in the regular season and they clinched the seat in the Final Four by sweeping Maccabi with ease.
If I had to place my bet with one of the two, I would choose Real. Barcelona is a team of superstars and has one of the most promising coaches in Sarunas Jasikevicius and is absolutely worthy of being here.
But, they have the pressure on their side and this might work against them. Real is more comfortable as the underdog and this will help them play the game on their own terms without anxiety.
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