From first to fourth Olympiacos, five possible opponents

THE defeat of Olympiakos in Belgrade by Red Star did not allow him to secure first place in the regular season of the Euroleague from now on. Now the “red and white” they can finish from first to fourth in the regular season, holding their fate in their own hands.

The team of Giorgos Bartzokas will be definitely first with a win next Thursday in SEF against Baskonia who will “burn” for victory in order to qualify. But the Piraeus they can also be… fourth, if they lose at the same time Barcelona (today in Milan and with Valencia in the other Friday) and Monaco (with Partizan tonight and Efes in the City next Friday) make 2/2 and Real beat Maccabi in Tel Aviv. In this case, Olympiakos will be overtaken by Real and “Barca”, while Monaco has a draw, having beaten them twice.

Olympiacos will be second a) if they lose to Baskonia and at the same time Barcelona go 2/2 and Real lose in Tel Aviv or b) if they lose to Baskonia and Real win in Tel Aviv but Barcelona lose to either Milan or Valencia. Also, the Piraeus will be third parties with a defeat to Baskonia if Barcelona draw 2/2 and Real beat Maccabi, but Monaco lose at least one of their matches against Partizan and Efes.

As for potential opponents? Now there are five: Fenerbahce (19-4), Maccabi (19-4), Partizan (18-4), Baskonia (18-15) and Zalgiris (18-15), while from these mathematically only the Tel Aviv team has qualified and the remaining four teams can be excluded. The scenarios are still countless for the final ranking, with even a five-way tie possible.

Pending games for each:

Fenerbahce (1): Red Star-Fenerbahce (13/4)

Maccabi (1): Maccabi-Real Madrid (13/4)

Partizan (2): Monaco-Partizan (7/4), Partizan-Panathinaikos (14/4)

Baskonia (1): Olympiacos-Baskonia (13/4)

Zalgiris (1): Bayern-Zalgiris (14/4)

At double ties, Fenerbahce is ahead of Maccabi and Partizan and behind Baskonia and Zalgiris. Maccabi are ahead of Zalgiris and Partizan and behind Fenerbahçe and Baskonia. Partizan are ahead of Zalgiris and Baskonia, but behind against Fener and Maccabi. Baskonia is ahead of Fener, Maccabi and Zalgiris and behind Partizan. Zalgiris is ahead of Fenerbahçe and behind Maccabi, Partizan and Baskonia. In a three-way, four-way or five-way tie, only Fener and Zalgiris are in danger.

It is recalled that the playoffs begin April 25-26 and conclude no later than May 10, with the Kaunas Final 4 taking place on May 19 and 21. The winner of 1-8 in the playoffs will play 4-5 in the semifinals and the winner of 2-7 will play 3-6.