Major challenge for Maroussi in Euroleague
Maroussi basketball club tonight faces one of the biggest challenges of its history in Europe as it faces Maccabi Tel Aviv for a place in the Euroleague second group stage. The Athens side can qualify for the top-16 of the competition with a win over the Israeli visitors (who have already qualified), or if Lottomatica Roma loses to Olimpija Ljubljana in Italy. Maroussi has shown it has the mettle to challenge a side like Maccabi at home and is sure to fight hard to achieve what had seemed unthinkable when the team entered the first qualifying round of the Euroleague. Late yesterday Olympiakos was hosting Partizan Belgrade (leading 63-49 at the end of the third period) and Panathinaikos was visiting Oldenburg in Germany (holding a 33-25 lead at halftime). In the Eurocup both Greek sides reached the next round, with Panellinios and Aris scoring significant victories on Tuesday. Panellinios defeated visiting Nancy of France 77-64 to finish top of its group, while Aris returned from Israel with an 89-79 victory over Hapoel Jerusalem. In the next group stage Panellinios will play Bilbao, Benetton Treviso and Bamberg, while Aris must face Alba Berlin, Le Mans and Badalona.
