A new era began in the Euroleague, completely changing its regular league format, going from the two phases to a single league all against all, and a drastic reduction in teams, from 24 to 16, which led to a much discussed and competitive competition until the last few days
The competition started with the big boys setting the pace. In Group A, Real Madrid were a solid leader, with Anadolu Efes. In Group B, CSKA were undefeated, followed by reigning champions Maccabi. In Group C, Barcelona and Fenerbahce competed for first place until the end, and in Group D, Olympiacos showed their great level
In the first phase Group A offered us a tough battle between Real Madrid, Panathinaikos and Khimki for the lead. The fourth place without much competition was for Fenerbahce Ulker. In group B Maccabi finished first in a hand to hand with a great Unicaja Malaga. Siena and Alba Berlin qualified without much brilliance
In the first phase group A gave us the classification of Bilbao and the premature elimination of a historian like Caja Laboral. Cantu, after many years out of the elite, ranks among the best. Fenerbahce Ulker and Olympiacos played a hand to hand until the end. In group B CSKA did not lose a single match, Panathinaikos was a solid second. Unicaja and Zalgiris qualify with a negative balance
This season begin 24 teams where in the first phase were framed in four groups of six teams unlike years ago that were in three groups of eight teams. After a league of 10 days will qualify the top four of each group for the TOP16
This year the format changes again, forcing teams to play more matches. They eliminate the previous round-trip format and from the beginning different leagues will be played. In addition all will be important because the sum of the two will be made to know who will be in the playoffs. A playoff that also change because years ago there was only one round of quarters and this year there will be round of eighths and quarters
After the preliminary phase where finally after several years without achieving it, CSKA could pass to the round of sixteen, none of the greats with the exception of Zalgiris, missed the regular group
In the preliminary phase CSKA was eliminated again in the first change, the rest of the greats do not lose their annual appointment with the European Cup. The Cantú after several years out returns to the European front line and both Benfica and Guildford sneak into the elite
