Basketball semi-final: these arguments make the outsiders dangerous

The ten -day break in the middle of the crucial season is over. The semi-finals start on Saturday in the men’s basketball championship. The two finalists are now being determined in the best-of-three series. The duels could become more exciting than the quarter -finals – or end just as quickly.

Amicale – T71

That speaks for Steinsel: The defending champion may have the strongest team in the league on paper. Ex-professional Scott Morton presents itself in top form at the right time. In the second quarter-finals against Sparta, he scored 25 points and thus set his personal record in the Amical jersey.

It is only now becoming interesting for Bob Melcher. The former national player is known for going out on the very big stage. Alex Laurent convinced in the first game against Sparta with 17 points, coach Daniel Brandao can rely on the American Jarvis Williams anyway.

With Jonas Theisen, Noah Medeot and Tom Konen, Steinsel is significantly broader than semi -final opponents Dudelingen and could at least compensate for a few failures. The fact that T71 is unable to do this became clear in the final phase of the second quarter -finals against Contern. In addition, Dudelingen had to find a replacement for the professional Brandon Randolph, which was injured in the thigh.

That speaks for T71: The Dudelinger dominated Contert before foul problems and injuries were almost doomed by Coach Yves Defraigne’s team. The fact that T71 still won is likely to have a positive effect on the morale of the Dudelinger. The attitude can be a decisive factor for Dino Ceman and Co.

This week it became known that Defraigne and T71 go separate paths after the season. The team’s top performers will do everything they can to prepare the best possible farewell to the coach they are valued. The fact that Dudelingen can beat Steinel has shown the second -round second leg, which T71 won at home.

It will be crucial, however, whether the new professional and Randolph replacement, which has been in Luxembourg since Sunday, can quickly integrate. The Dudelinger did not want to announce the name of the newcomer before the first semi -finals to surprise opponents Steinel.

Etzella – Arantia

That speaks for Etzella: The Ettelbrücker was the measure of all things this season – until Etzella failed against Esch in the cup final. But Philippe Gutaufkauf and his teammates came back with two victories in the quarter -final series against Walferdingen.

In time for the semi -finals, an Ettelbrück service provider fueled new self -confidence: After Yann Wolff was able to turn only one of seven threes in the cup final and in the first game against Résidence, he was successful three times from a distance in the last game and scored a total of 24 points.

Philippe Gutaufkauf is one of the few construction actors who know how to deal with the aggressive defense of Arantia. In addition, the Ettelbrückers are able to cause significantly more problems for the opposing professionals than the battered Eschern succeeded in the quarter -finals.

That speaks for Arantia: The previous surprise team of the play-offs has eliminated cup winner Esch, so why not the inferior finalists? In the quarter -finals, the Felser benefited from the fact that Clancy Rugg was missing in the first duel due to illness and also remained under normal form in the second game, but the team led by captain Derek Wilson licked blood.

Trainer Karolis Abramavicius will optimally adjust his team to the opponent. While he can rely on the Wilson brothers on the defensive, among other things, the two professionals Kiandre Gaddy and Scott Lindsey should again focus on the offensive. Mykolas Maindron has so far remained below his possibilities in the play-offs, but is also able to decide games.

Esch has shown in the Coque how Ettelbrück can be conquered. Because professionals Jimmie Taylor and Quatarrius Wilson can also be stopped in conjunction. When Arantia appears similarly disciplined, the rock succeeds in the semi -finals the next big coup.