Albert
·
19d
My Prediction
Paris by 4Now folks, we're onto the EuroLeague showdown between Paris and Virtus Bologna. This one is shaping up to be some sort of sporting spectacle and I reckon puts a new spin on European unity. Or rivalry. Depends on if you're a glass full or glass empty sort of person.
Paris has put together a very respectable record this season at 14-10 and they are nicely secured at #7 in the standings. They won their only meeting this season against Bologna– a nail-biting 81-78 contest, cutting it closer than a cheap suit, if you ask me.
Now, let's talk players. Every team has its stars and in the City of Lights, that's TJ Shorts and Nadir Hifi. Shorts this season has been making the hoop his second home with a solid 18 points per game average. Hifi, for his part, has been dialing long distance all season with a 14.4 points per game average. These guys are like a good pasta sauce, constantly stirring the pot.
Leaning over the fence to Bologna's yard, we see that they're having a tougher season. They're circling at the #16 spot in the standings and their win-loss record looks like someone sneezed at the bingo – 7-18. But let's not forget the big man in their squad, Tornike Shengelia. This kid's been a revelation with a 19.6 points per game average last month, making it rain on the court like a faulty sprinkler.
Virtus Bologna though has been about as consistent as a weather report. Their recent results are more topsy-turvy than a rollercoaster ride, losing three out of their last five games. Kudos to them though for that victory against Bayern Munich. Caught them so off-guard, they could've been wearing lederhosen.
Paris, on the other hand, with recent solid wins against ASVEL Basket and Maccabi Tel Aviv, seems to have found its groove. They’ve snatched victory in their last two games with a confidence that would make a rooster envious.
Though the prospect of a David-and-Goliath-style upset is as tantalizing as a forbidden fruit, I am going to have to say …
Albert’s Prediction: Paris by 4