THERE may be bigger prizes at stake in European basketball: the EuroLeague, the EuroCup, even the Basketball Champions League. All remain artificial constructs with varying claims to historical precedent.
But surely, there is no better competition than Spain’s Copy Del Rey, which begins in Madrid on Wednesday as four days of enthralling action tips off. Let’s be realistic: as national leagues go, the ACB is the best outside the NBA. No contest. The most money, the greatest tranche of big names, and the monolithic glamour associated with R. Madrid and FC Barcelona.
But the annual mid-season cup competition is as good as it gets. Such a dynamic format that it has been replicated in other countries around the world, with even the occasional murmur out of the NBA that it could even work there.
Akin to the NCAA’s Final Four, but with twice the teams and infinitely more drama, it is one of the finest slices of hoops action on any court anywhere.
The eight teams were chosen based on beating the cut at the mid-point of the Spanish season, which is why the quarter-finals comprise: Tenerife v Malaga, Barcelona v Valencia, Baskonia v Joventut and Real Madrid v Estudiantes.
It is win, or go home, through to Sunday’s final. All in a single venue. No wonder the tickets are must-gets every single year. And it is a trophy which means probably as much as the end-of-season playoff crown.
It is Barca who are favourites to retain the cup they claimed 12 months ago in Gran Canaria, shrugging off their inconsistent EuroLeague form to sit atop the ACB with a 17-3 record.
With Kyle Kuric and sixth man Thomas Heurtel notching 10 points per game domestically, there is a good reason why the Catalans are riding high. As ever, they will expect to meet Madrid in the final in a reflection of the current league positions.
But coach Pablo Laso remains unsure if Sergio Lllul will be recovered from injury for their Madrid derby on Friday to aid their cause. It will be a huge blow if he sits out. Being at home, there will be an advantage, claimed Rudy Fernandez.
He said: “It is a competition that everyone likes to play. I have been lucky to win it five times and in that sense, it is special. In addition, playing at home, in Madrid, makes us want to raise the cup with our fans. It would be amazing to get five cups in the seven years I've been in the club. And that's why we're working to make it possible.”
The two big guns have been kept apart in the draw and that should serve them well if they are to duel for the prize for the fourth time in six years.
Watch the Top 10 Assists from the 2018-19 #7DAYSEuroCup Top 16 here #RoadToGreatness pic.twitter.com/HfgAuqeiGs
— EuroCup (@EuroCup) February 13, 2019
Yet Barcelona have acquired the slight advantage of day’s break in the middle and with some injuries, the dark horses of Baskonia might have a shot at sneaking past Madrid – and avenging their 82-76 league loss from last weekend – if Saturday’s semi-final goes to seeding. There were the last team from outside the Clasico compadres to lift the prize.
And even if Real and Barca carry high expectations, it’s certainly worth a watch to see the most intense four days of basketballing action on the planet.
Best bet: Back FC Barcelona for the cup and take Barca at -10 against Valencia.
