35 What About a Real Final Four?

Energia Tirgu Jiu is very close to qualifying for the last eight phase of the Eurochallenge, Europe's third basketball club competition. With two home games left, Energia has a 3-1 record, and have their faith in their own hands. 

If they win any of their two home games they are 100% in the next round, with a victory against Astana they even have the first place assured. There is only one realistic possibility to lose their place in the top 8. If they were defeated in their last two games at home and Okapi Aalstar beat both Enel Basket and Astana on the road, only then would Antonis Constantinides' side miss the chance to make it into the next phase.

There is still the possibility that all four teams will finish with a 3-3 record and then the total goal difference of the group will decide the qualifying teams. In this case Energia will have to limit harshly the margin with which they lose, to heighten their chances of qualifying.

If Energia makes it into the Quarter Final Playoffs, they will meet one of the top 2 teams from Group J in a "best of three" encounter, with two matches played on the better placed team's court. Group J is still open to all possibilities, but Le Mans is currently holding first place, with Nanterre and Usak in joint second.

The winners of the Quarter Final games will play in the Eurochallenge Final Four. The host of the event will be chosen out of the four teams that have made it there. 

It would be nice to see such an event organized in Romania, it would mean a great deal for the image of Romanian basketball. In my opinion the chances for Energia to get there are bigger than that of getting the organizing. To organize the Final Four the team has to assure a hall with a minimum of 3000 seats, so the Tirgu Jiu Arena is out of the question. There are other halls which live up to the standards, but there is the question whether the club wants to organize an event in another city, where most of their faithful fans won't have the chance to see their favorites.

We will have to wait and see, first whether Energia makes it or not so far (I sincerely hope they do), then if there is enough will and financial power to organize such an event. Until then let's root for them because they showed on the court repeatedly that they deserve our respect.