FC Barcelona Regal v Montespaschi Siena live streaming is available online this Thursday with these two teams renewing their great rivalry in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague.
In what is sure to be a spectacular Turkish Airlines Euroleague showdown, FC Barcelona Regal and Montepaschi Siena battle for first place in Group D.
Meeting at this stage for the fourth consecutive season, the two teams combine for eight Final Four appearances since 2003 – the only year both made it to the big event.
It will be a very special game for Montepaschi centre David Andersen, who returns to Palau Blaugrana for the first time since winning the 2009 Spanish League title with Barcelona.
Both teams are undefeated in Group D, so not only is the win critical, but the point differential at the end is important too.
Montepaschi last won at Palau Blaugrana in 2005. Barcelona leads the 2011-12 Euroleague in two-pointers made (84) and percentage (65.1%), while Montepaschi is second in three-point percentage (48.1%).
Expect a highly-charged battle in Barcelona.
Barcelona are at full strength, while Montepaschi released DaJuan Summers last week.
Montepaschi needs to stop Erazem Lorbek, whose talent and outstanding post skills have been unstoppable in the last two games.
The task this week goes to Shaun Stonerook, who brings considerable experience and defensive skill. Lorbek leads a deep frontcourt that includes CJ Wallace, Boni Ndong, Kosta Perovic and Fran Vazquez, giving coach Xavi Pascual a lot of alternatives at both ends.
Vazquez and Perovic will be ready to go against Andersen and Ksistof Lavrinovic. Montepaschi needs to stop Juan Carlos Navarro, whose array of offensive skills is almost never-ending.
Rimantas Kaukenas and Marco Carrareto will try to stop him, but Montepaschi can opt to add more firepower with Igor Rakocevic off the bench. Barcelona must slow Bo McCalebb, the motor of the Montepaschi offense.
Marcelinho Huertas and Victor Sada must not only control the game tempo, but defend McCalebb in what promises to be a big key to this much-anticipated match-up.
Montepaschi coach Simone Pianigiani said: “Barcelona has a very talented team, with powerful players and the right technical skills to win the Euroleague, that is why it is always exciting to play against teams like this one.
“It will be a very tough game that each player wants to experience and play. Although this game won’t decide our future in the Euroleague , we will try to be as ready as possible to do our best and to honour this game."
