The EuroLeague Fantasy Challenge Podcast continues its playoff run with Frankie Sachs and Javier Gancedo of EuroLeague.net back alongside Sport 24’s Vasiliki Karamouza, fresh from a memorable week in Valencia that finally included seeing Javi in real life. Reunited and fully in postseason mode, the trio dives straight into what Games 1 and 2 revealed — and what Games 3 and 4 could still change.

They open by naming their “winners” from the opening games. Vasiliki leads with Facundo Campazzo, pointing to his command and impact with All-EuroLeague center Walter Tavares injured. Javi follows with Nicolo Melli, highlighting his steady two-way value and playoff reliability. Frankie rounds out the segment with Mike James, backing the superstar for his leadership, even after being ejected in Game 2.

Attention then shifts to the biggest question marks ahead. Javi flags Nate Reuvers, Frankie circles Talen Horton-Tucker, whose upside is obvious but his outside shooting remains a concern. Vasiliki names Kevarrius Hayes, especially with injury woes on the Monaco roster. That uncertainty fuels a wider playoff outlook debate. Javi and Vasiliki expect a fast finish, predicting mostly sweeps and no more than nine games left in the season. Frankie takes the over, betting on more resistance. The Playoffs MVP conversation brings the episode’s liveliest exchange. Frankie and Javi favor Campazzo, while Vasiliki credits Ergin Ataman. Frankie argues Panathinaikos was lucky to win Game 2 and points to the free-throw numbers as evidence — quickly adding that “it’s better to be lucky than to be good” — as Javi remains uncharacteristically quiet.

All three reveal their Game 3 teams and, notably, land on the same head coach: Georgios Bartzokas. Given Vasiliki’s head coach history — including a miss in Game 2 — Frankie and Javi openly worry that Vasiliki’s pick may have jinxed the Reds. The episode closes with “Get Featured, Get Rewarded,” featuring a hypothetical FC Barcelona roster and bold suggestions that Real Madrid or Zalgiris could still win it all. With sweep talk, MVP debates and shared coach anxiety, the playoffs — and the fantasy chaos — are speeding up fast.

walter tavares