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2009 Final Four (Berlin, May 1-3)
#21
A nice article by Paul Nilsen about the Final Four.



Quote:High drama, passion and tension at the Euroleague Final Four weekend in Berlin with plenty of EuroBasket interest both past and present, although I do admit that I had been somewhat intrigued in the lead up to the tournament.



More accurately I was confused because of the unprecedented security arrangements in place to contain the legendary off-court rivalry between Panathinaikos and Olympiacos supporters.



Mistakenly I didn't believe someone who had told me that there would be extensive netting placed in front of both sets of Greek fans to limit any potential missile throwing and that everything sold at the event would cost a round figure (such as five or ten euros) to avoid any coins being available.



What baffled me most though was why EU leaders haven't been holding financial conferences in Athens to find out the secret of surviving the world financial crisis.



The term ‘credit crunch' obviously hasn't permeated Greek finances if supporters were intending to part so feely with their cash, the subject of which brings me nicely to my first observation.



Home Banker



Yes, while the less well behaved Greek fans contemplated whether folding up a ten euro note as a paper airplane alternative to a humble coin really was worth it (and also whether it could penetrate the netting) you had to wonder what Olympiacos bosses were thinking about their decision to throw their money at Josh Childress.



The NBA man had a steady first Euroleague tournament and is a great player but ultimately it was a home-grown talent who proved to be worth his weight in gold.



Guard Vassilis Spanoulis was named MVP in Berlin after securing 31 points at his first ever Final Four and it was great to see this star of the Greek game showcasing his talent.



One of the best players to have never sampled NBA action and having led the national team in scoring at the Olympics last year, his performances in both games whetted the appetite for Poland and underlined amongst many other things just why Greece will be front-runners for the title in September.



The Greek fans also showed just why their support in the stands will be so welcome: passion from the majority of supporters and not disorder from a minority winning the day while reminding visitors from across the pond of the unique atmosphere that often accompanies basketball in Europe.



Lithuanian Rock



Don't worry ball fans, I am not going to extol the virtues of listening to legendary Lithuanian rock band Antis but instead implore you to rejoice in the never-say-die spirit that resonates within Lithuanian hearts.



Having been hit by the disappointment of missing out on a medal in Bejiing, Lithuanian basketball is responding in the only way it knows - by just digging even deeper into its reserves.



Final Four action confirmed beyond any doubt that when the going gets tough, Lithuanians get going.



Seriously, just ask Sergio Scariolo who is probably still suffering nightmares after Lietuvos Rytas drew on incredible spirit and determination to deny him Eurocup glory.



Berlin witnessed yet more evidence of a trait that is undeniably engrained in the Lithuanian psyche.



Barca were heading for victory in the semi-final against CSKA until Ramunas Siskauskas more or less took over the game with a stunning 29 point performance.



Again, the intriguing factor being that he hasn't exactly set Europe alight this year, but cometh the hour.



48 hours later he was at it again.



With CSKA hopes fading, Siska donned his cape and did his best to rescue the day. Evidently superheroes don't always get their way but he came near enough for me and even taking his free-throw shooting into account and missing the opportunity to complete a remarkable win with his doomed final shot - I was just so enthused by the vibrancy of his efforts.



It was however a bitter sweet feeling for me with Siskaukas having announced his retirement from the national team. Suffice to say that I demand a petition for us fans to sign imploring him to reverse his decision.



On a brighter note, what about veteran guard Sarunas Jasikevicius?



Clutching a deserved Euroleague winners medal, he showed that age and having an already glittering CV has not dampened his inspiring and tenacious qualities. His timely intervention in the semi-final when he just encapsulated that unwavering belief and desire when taking the game to the Reds to secure victory was certainly one of the defining moments of the season.



There is certainly nothing better to get the adrenalin of the passive basketball neutral pumping than to see talent like that of Sarunas complimented by a clenched fist and gritted teeth.



Certainly EuroBasket 2009 in Poland is thankfully richer for having at least one of these players treading the boards - but seriously can someone have a word with Ramunas please?



Fantastic Form Forgotten For Final Four Failures



Barcelona powerhouses Ersan Ilyasova and Fran Vazquez have been lighting it up big time in the ACB and to a lesser extent in Euroleague, so naturally it was anticipated that the duo would be influential in Berlin. However the pair surprisingly bombed as their fantastic form evaporated to leave them looking pale shadows of the players we have witnessed in the last few months.



While I can't see the Turkish fans worrying too much over the contribution of their hugely talented forward, there have been more mutterings in the last couple of days over whether the former Bucks man can consistently deliver in the biggest games.



We now await his performances in the forthcoming ACB play-offs with interest, as will NBA scouts, no doubt eager to possibly cash in on his restricted free agent status while EuroBasket 2009 star status surely still beckons.



In the case of Vazquez who has produced a string of stellar displays all season to push for a place in the Spanish national team, it was an interesting outing to say the least. There was no real evidence of his renaissance and current standing as a defensive kingpin.



He could and should have utilised his quickness but instead seemed to be physically overwhelmed at times against CSKA and didn't crash the boards or get out and run as Barca needed him to.



While the NBA option doesn't necessarily seem to be whirring around inside his head right now, it was interesting to consider if Pau doesn't make it, whether he will be able to step into the squad and make the kind of impression in Poland that will be required.



Even Victor Sada, the man who in boxing terms has been one of the best ‘pound-for-pound' players all season ended up crashing too and that could be catastrophic in his position as a borderline member of the Spanish roster.



Catch Me If You Can



Finally a word on ‘La Bomba' who didn't hit the heights in Berlin either but I thought you should know that I have this recurring dream which I think is my sub-concious simply preying on my dislike for regular exercise.



It is a nightmare that has me waking up in cold sweats. Each time I close my eyes I find myself chasing Juan Carlos Navarro all over the court non-stop trying to get a hand up in front of his face.



I swear my arms ache in the morning. It suddenly dawned on me during the Euroleague Final Four that firstly, it is a necessary evil (much like my need to get to the gym some time soon).



Secondly, I couldn't help but wonder and feel a tad sorry for the defenders that will have that task in Poland although one that if successful, could be key in preventing the World Champions collecting a first Eurobasket gold again.



Source: [url="http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_UKqFquHnIJ6UA78gFrsV71.articleMode_on.html"]http://www.fibaeurope.com/coid_UKqFquHnIJ6...cleMode_on.html[/url]



I was surprised by this quote <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='Smile' /> <img src='http://www.talkbasket.net/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thup.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':thup:' />



Quote:Don't worry ball fans, I am not going to extol the virtues of listening to legendary Lithuanian rock band Antis
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