Almost ensures finish first Final Four
The top two finishers in each group will play Top-16 quarter-final playoffsto the best of five games. It is true that there is still a route to reach the Final Four, but the top four in the current phase will be to favor an almost decisive advantage in court, which in Europe is more important than in national competitions.
Since the 2004-05 season in the Euroleague quarterfinal qualifiers introduced, only two teams have been snuck into the Final Four field disadvantaged. The last, Partizan Belgrade, who has been charged for Maccabi last season (1-3). And the other, the Baskonia, who has won two times. One with the Benetton (2005) and another against Panathinaikos (2006). On both occasions the playoff was just the best of three games. In total, 21 of the 24 rounds contested in the last six seasons, the team that started the track factor on their side advanced to the final round.
Madrid has not sneak in the top four of the tournament since 1996, among other reasons, because they always came at a disadvantage to the last round. Since the creation of the Euroleague in 2000, whites have never led the Top-16. Touched first in 2010, but lost in Vistalegre against Maccabi and we were very close in 2008 with Joan Plaza, but I killed a triple Halperin. Maccabi again. In the last five editions won three defeats in the quarter, two with Barca and with the factor Olympiacos track against. Hence today’s match in Istanbul is so important.