EuroLeague More Exciting Than Ever

This season’s EuroLeague has already proven to be one of the most thrilling in the past decade, with the quality of play increasing significantly, making the competition more intense than ever. Some teams that were expected to fight for the top spots have underperformed, while others have surprised everyone with their strong performances. With only 8 or 9 rounds remaining, the battle for direct quarterfinal qualification and playoff spots is heating up. What makes this season particularly exciting is that both Serbian clubs, Crvena Zvezda and Partizan, are still in contention for the next stage. It remains to be seen if they can secure a spot in the playoffs, and fans, as well as those following the action through Merkur XTip, will be keeping a close eye on the decisive matches.

Olympiacos Leads the Standings

Following an incomplete Round 26, Greek powerhouse Olympiacos sits at the top of the table. Despite having one game in hand, they lead with 18 wins and 7 losses. Over their last five matches, Olympiacos has recorded four wins and one defeat. They started with a 102-101 victory over Baskonia, followed by an impressive 96-86 win against Real Madrid. However, they then suffered a 87-77 loss to Fenerbahçe, before bouncing back with victories against Efes (92-89) and Paris (90-73). Their consistent form has already secured them a spot in the next phase, and while there is a theoretical chance they might need to go through the play-in tournament, their performances make that scenario highly unlikely.

In second place is Fenerbahçe, also with one game in hand, boasting 17 wins and 8 losses. Like Olympiacos, they have won four of their last five games, with their only defeat coming in a 91-90 thriller against Panathinaikos—a game that was particularly popular among sports bettors.

Third in the standings is Monaco, holding a 16-9 record with one game less played than most teams. After two consecutive losses, they have managed to string together three wins in a row.

Tied on wins with Monaco but having played an additional game, Panathinaikos sits in fourth place. Their form has been inconsistent, with three wins and two losses in their last five matches—falling to Baskonia (91-77) and Emporio Armani (87-75).

Sharing the same win-loss record as Panathinaikos, Crvena Zvezda occupies fifth place, while Bayern Munich rounds out the top six, the last spot that guarantees a direct quarterfinal berth. The German club has been in excellent form, winning four of their last five games.

Paris – The Surprise Package

One of the most surprising teams in this season’s EuroLeague has undoubtedly been Paris Basketball. The French club is making its debut in Europe’s top club competition and has been a revelation, often delivering unpredictable results that keep fans glued to live score updates. Initially, many did not expect much from them, but from the very start, they proved they could compete with the best.

For a good part of the season, Paris held a top-three position, and while they have slipped slightly in the standings, they are still in a strong position. Currently, they sit seventh with a 14-10 record, but with two games in hand, they have a real chance to climb into the top six. If they win both remaining matches, they could find themselves tied for fourth place, putting them in contention for direct quarterfinal qualification.

Crvena Zvezda and Partizan’s Playoff Push

Both Serbian clubs have performed admirably this season, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Crvena Zvezda, under coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos, has been in excellent form and currently sits in fifth place. In their last five games, they have secured four victories, including wins over Monaco (88-82), Partizan (73-71), Asvel (73-66), and Alba (77-71). With eight games remaining, Zvezda will be aiming to finish in the top six and secure direct quarterfinal qualification.

Partizan, led by legendary coach Željko Obradović, has recorded 13 wins and 12 losses, but has played one game less than Zvezda. They currently sit in 10th place, the final spot that leads to the play-in tournament. Like their city rivals, Partizan has won four of their last five games, with victories against Asvel, Emporio Armani, Paris, and Virtus Bologna, while their only defeat came against Crvena Zvezda.

With several crucial matches ahead, Partizan still has a strong chance to advance, and their fans will be hoping for a strong finish to the season. If they maintain their current form, a playoff spot is well within reach, which would be a major achievement given the competition in this year’s EuroLeague.