Eurocup

We know that AS Monaco are in the EuroCup Final, but we still don’t know who will join them. The French side wrapped up their season 2-0 against Herbalife Gran Canaria.

It wasn’t an easy win for the French side, the game was decided with a buzzer shot with 0.2 seconds left on the clock. However, the 74-76 win secured a 2-0 record for the French side, and they can now sit back and see who triumphs between Virtus Segafredo Bologna and UNICS Kazan.

The scores between these sides in the Semi-Finals have been:

  • Virtus Segafredo Bologna 80 – 76 UNICS Kazan
  • UNICS Kazan 85 – 81 Virtus Segafredo Bologna

The win in Kazan not only kept the home side’s EuroCup dream alive, it handed the visitors their first defeat of the season. That is now three times EuroCup sides have enjoyed a 20-game winning streak, but have been unable to take it to 20 games.

This means the Italian side faces a new challenge on Wednesday night. They must rebound from a loss, something which they haven’t had to do this season. If they bounce back, they can shrug off the loss in Kazan as a blip, and look forward to the final with confidence.

However, if UNICS triumph again, a promising European season will end with no reward, and the Italians will look back on a missed opportunity to achieve greatness.

Isaiah Canaan had an excellent night for UNICS in the second game of the series, grabbing 19 points. If he can deliver the same again, they will have a chance of making it to the EuroCup final. Other Kazan players in double digits in the second game were Jordan Theodore, Okaro White and Jordan Morgan.

It might just have been a bad night at the office for the Italian side. Marco Belinelli grabbed 33 points while Milos Teodosic chipped in with 11.

There is nothing to suggest Bologna will crumble at home, but after having lost one match, the pressure is definitely on. Monaco players, fans and coaches will watch on with interest, but it is set to be a tense night on Wednesday in Bologna.

Given that Friday’s reversal was their first defeat of the season, Bologna have yet to lose at home this campaign, and that will provide them with confidence heading into this tie. However, after their win, UNICS know that this is all or nothing for them too. It should be quite the battle in Bologna on Wednesday.