Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the EuroLeague match.
In the opening game of the new EuroLeague season, the reigning champions will visit ALBA Berlin. Will the hosts be able to put up a challenge, or will the favourites have an easy ride?
ALBA Berlin
The hosts have played two official matches this season, winning one of them. They dominated EWE Baskets Oldenburg at home (105:70), but lost to not-so-strong Hamburg Towers (80:97). It's worth noting that Berlin's offence has been inconsistent, despite having a respectable average field goal percentage (50.5%) across these games. However, the team has been plagued by turnovers, averaging 14.5 per game. If they can address this issue, they may pose a challenge to the champions.
Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens
The team is once again one of the main contenders for the title. They didn't lose any key players during the offseason and have strengthened their roster with the addition of Cedi Osman, who played in the NBA for the last seven years. Panathinaikos have also played two official matches this season, winning against Aris Thessaloniki in the Greek Supercup semifinal but losing to Olympiacos Piraeus in the final (85:86). Their shooting wasn't up to par in that game, with just 44.3% accuracy. Such a narrow defeat is likely to have only spurred their players on, so they will have something to prove against ALBA Berlin, although they are not yet in peak form this early in the season.
ALBA Berlin vs Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Prediction
Last season, these teams faced each other twice, with the Greek side coming out on top both times. Notably, the margin of victory was 9 and 14 points. Matches between these opponents are always tough. Given that the season has just begun, anything can happen. We are confident that ALBA Berlin will fight until the very end.
