Aside to, of course, the start of Giro d'Italia 2010, this is perhaps the biggest sporting event in the world this weekend. Broadcast to 194 countries worldwide, the popularity of the most prestigious European basketball competition is on the rise, and the climax of the fantastic 09/10 season is starting tonight in Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy. Four teams, Regal FC Barcelona, Olympiakos, CSKA Moscow and Partizan Belgrade will decide who will be the new European champion, as the last season victors, Panathinaikos, haven't reached the latter stages of the competition.
The first semi-final match between RFC Barcelona and CSKA Moscow will open the tournament at 18:00cet today, followed by Olympiakos Piraeus vs. Partizan Belgrade match starting 21:00cet.
Bookmakers believe that RFC Barcelona have the best chances of lifting the trophy for only the 2nd time in their club history (Barcelona won only one European title, season 02/03 in 11 F4 appearances), but a fact has to be taken into account that all the participants in this year's F4 tournament have in their history won this competition. Partizan in 1992., Olympiakos in 1997., CSKA Moscow six times, 1961., 1963., 1969., 1971., 2006., and 2008.
For all the previews, expert analysis and interviews with players & coaches, visit the official Euroleague basketball site www.euroleague.net
My money, of course, goes to The one and only:
BLACK&WHITE ARMY!
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
