FCBARCELONA.CAT

24.05.2008 22:26

Guaranteed spot in next season’s Euroleague

David Saura

By getting through to the final of the ACB League AXA FC Barcelona has ensured it will have a place in next season’s Euroleague. It will be the ninth time in a row that Barça has played in the top European competition.

It was one of the primary objectives of the season and it has now been achieved: AXA Barça will be playing in next season’s Euroleague. The Catalans have played in this competition every year since it was set up in the 2000/01 season, and that fine record will now be continued in the 2008/09 season.

Five ACB teams in the Euroleague

With Barça getting to the final there will now be five teams from the ACB League in next season’s Euroleague, as the other four already have a guaranteed spot: TAU and Unicaja due to a triennial contract, Real Madrid for finishing first in the regular season, and DKV Joventut as champions of the ULEB Cup.

The final at home

Barça will have home advantage in the final as the Catalans finished third in the regular season ahead of their possible opponents TAU (fourth) and Unicaja (eighth). There is no doubt that this is very significant, especially bearing in mind that this season AXA FC Barcelona has only lost once at home in the ACB League, and that was in an unimportant game against Cajasol.

Then there is also the fine form of Xavi Pascual’s side, which in these play-offs has won both its away games. Indeed it is the only team in the ACB which has not lost a single game in the play-offs.