Gran Canaria looks for its fourth EuroCup Semifinals berth after previous appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2021. Andorra reached the semifinals in 2019. A big crowd is expected at Gran Canaria Arena to attend this showdown between two teams that know each other really well.
Breakdown: Gran Canaria vs. MoraBanc Andorra
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Crossed paths
It is very unusual to see four former teammates reunite on a new team, but that is exactly what happened in Gran Canaria. Andrew Albicy, Dylan Ennis, John Shurna and Oliver Stevic were with Andorra during the 2018-19 campaign and had great success playing together. Andorra reached the 2019 semifinals, its best result in European competitions. Albicy was named to the 2018-19 All-EuroCup First Team and Ennis earned All-EuroCup Second Team honors. Three years later, all of them are with Gran Canaria, ready to go against their former team.
Andorra also features players who played for Gran Canaria in the past. Oriol Pauli is set to receive a warm ovation after spending six seasons with Gran Canaria. In his first campaign there, Pauli helped Gran Canaria reach the 2015 EuroCup Finals before losing to Khimki Moscow Region. A year later, Pauli lifted the Spanish SuperCup trophy and made it to the Spanish Copa del Rey final. Andorra playmaker Clevin Hannah also played for Gran Canaria during the 2018-19 campaign.
Earlier this season
Gran Canaria and Andorra have not faced each other in the EuroCup this season, but shared the court twice in the Spanish League regular season. Andorra defeated Gran Canaria 87-71 at home on October 10, 2021. It was Andorra's first domestic win of the season. Drew Crawford and David Jelinek led the winners with 13 points each and Victor Arteaga added 12 for Andorra, which led 35-17 at the end of the first quarter. Gran Canaria managed to get within 49-48, but a great fourth quarter allowed Andorra to win the game. Artem Pustovyi scored 16 points to lead the visitors.
Earlier this month, on April 13, Gran Canaria edged Andorra 84-78 at home in a hard-fought game. Shurna, Ennis and Nico Brussino paced the winners with 13 points apiece. Pustovyi, Albicy and Miquel Salvo each added 10 for Gran Canaria. Hannah scored 12 points for Andorra, which outrebounded Gran Canaria 31-40, including 15 offensive boards. Gran Canaria forced Andorra into 18 turnovers and committed only 11. With the game on the line, 77-76, Shurna and Brussino stepped up in crunch time to lead Gran Canaria to the win.
Similar playing styles
Gran Canaria and Andorra have played at pretty much the same rhythm all season long. Gran Canaria goes to the foul line 16.8 times on average and makes 11.7 free throws per night (69.6% FT). Andorra ranks 18th in free throws attempted (15.7), making 11.4 of those (72.5% FT). Their numbers are almost identical from downtown; Andorra takes 25.4 shots per game (36.4% 3FG) and Gran Canaria has fewer attempts (25.1) but a better percentage (39.5% 3FG). Andorra excels in two-point shooting percentage (55.2% 2FG), taking 37.8 attempts inside the arc. Gran Canaria takes more shots, 38.5, but with a lower percentage (52.1% 2FG)
Both teams have good assist-to-turnover ratios. Gran Canaria dishes 1.44 assists for each turnover and Andorra is close at 1.32. Again, the numbers are very similar under the boards. Gran Canaria leads in offensive rebounds (11.7 orpg., Andorra 10.6 orpg.), and Andorra is ahead in total (36.3 rpg., Gran Canaria 34.8 rpg.) and defensive rebounds (25.7 drpg., Gran Canaria 24.1 drpg.). Their scoring averages are also almost identical - Gran Canaria averages 81.6 points per night and Andorra is right behind (80.8 ppg.).
Centers could be critical
Both teams have deep, versatile frontcourts and both coaches have a lot of options at the center position. Gran Canaria boss Porfi Fisac can count on five players at that spot, all very different from each other. Olek Balcerowski (2.15 meters) and Artem Pustovyi (2.18) are tall centers with a soft touch and polished post skills. Ilimane Diop is an accomplished shot blocker who can stretch the floor with his shots from downtown. Khalifa Diop is a force of nature, who plays above the rim, and the 38-year-old Oliver Stevic offers much-needed experience in the low post.
Andorra also relies on three very different players who can make the difference in the paint. Finally healthy, Moussa Diagne is a physical center ready to use his athleticism and outside shooting against Pustovyi and Balcerowski. Victor Arteaga is an old-school center with good hands, a soft touch around the basket and good timing to block shots. Coach Oscar Quintana can always rely on Babatunde Olumuyiwa to provide energy, physicality and great intensity under the boards. Both teams have solid frontcourt weapons and whoever uses them better will have a big advantage - both figuratively and literally.