Wednesday, November 20, 2024, 06:57
IDK Euskotren has mathematically qualified as first in the group in this first phase of the Eurocup. Today (8:00 p.m.) they host Sepsi from Romania at the Josean Gasca, who are going to play to try to enter the next phase and to do so they must win in Donostia. But if the Muguruza players exhibit the level of the last matches (Perfumerías Avenida and Ardoi) the victory should not escape the San Sebastian pavilion.
Ending with a total of victories is not a chimera – the last match will be played in Gasca also against the Greek Proteas Voulas – which will allow the Guipuzcoans to be seeded and have a more favorable match in the round of 32 . Right now they have two wins ahead of Red Star, second placed, and even if Azu Muguruza’s side fall in their two remaining games, they would still be first, since they have won both games against the Serbian team.
In any case, advancing with a balance of 6-0 is not the same as advancing with a balance of 4-2. 32 teams qualify for this qualifying round, which are the four that fall from the Euroleague, the first twelve from the group stage, the twelve seconds and the four best third parties. Thus, the teams that fall from the Euroleague and the top twelve will be seeded in the first qualifying round, which means the second game will be played at home. That will measure the Ibaeta team against a second-place finisher or one of the best third-place finishers.
There are still seven teams that have not suffered a defeat in this regular season and have 4-0 records, which means they are in opposition to finishing these first six games with a zero loss score. In addition to IDK Euskotren, the other six teams are two from the Endesa League, Jairis and Girona, the French Asvel Lyon – which faced IDK two seasons ago in this same competition –, Besiktas from Turkey, MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec of Poland and the French BLMA of Montpellier, where former IDK player Dulcy Fankam plays.
This fulfills an objective set by the club at the beginning of the season, during the time of presentations and speeches. “We want to get past the group stage,” said Carmen and Azu Muguruza, president and coach, respectively, after having made their debut in European competition two seasons ago.
Tonight’s game should be a good option to continue the good momentum. The IDK won in Transylvania 54-62 in a very serious clash that they dominated from the beginning. The two great references of the Romanian team are its two American players, Cierra Johnson (17 points and 11 rebounds on average) and Taya Robinson (18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists). Stopping them will be key to having a quiet evening in Gasca.
