As the 2024/25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season heads towards its climax, basketball fans across Europe and beyond are eagerly awaiting one of the newest and most exciting additions to the competition: the Play-In Showdown. Introduced in the 2023/24 season, the Play-In system adds an extra layer of drama to proceedings, as it allows four additional teams – ranked 7th through 10th after the regular season is over – a final shot at making the all-important playoffs.
The 2025 Play-In games will take place between April 15 and 18, which is just days after the regular season ends on April 11. With the stake as high as they can get and the pressure of a win or you’re out scenario, the Play-In Showdown is seen as one of the highlights of the EuroLeague campaign.
What is the Play-In Showdown?
The Play-In format is designed to give more teams the chance to make the playoffs, and to keep fans engaged for longer into the season. Here’s how it all works:
- Game 1: 7th place vs 8th place. The winner clinches the 7th seed in the playoffs and advances directly to the quarterfinals.
- Game 2: 9th place vs 10th place. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention immediately.
- Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs Winner of Game 2. The winner of this final Play-In game earns the 8th seed and completes the playoff bracket.
Each game is hosted by the higher-seeded team, giving regular season performance even more meaning.
Play-In Matchups
Real Madrid (7th) vs Paris Basketball (8th)
- Date: April 15
- Venue: WiZink Center, Madrid
Real Madrid, a EuroLeague powerhouse, find themselves in unfamiliar territory, as they’re having to navigate the Play-in following a 7th placed finish where they had a record of 20-14. Despite solid defensive showing, where they allowed only 0.98 points per possession, offensive inconsistencies have played the team all season. Key players like Usman Garuba, Serge Ibaka, and Sergio Llull have been on hand to keep the team competitive.
Paris Basketball, in their debut EuroLeague campaign, have been nothing short of a revelation. Under the guidance of coach Tiago Splitter, the team boasts an effective offence led by TJ Shorts, who averages 18.7 points and 7.5 assists per game. Their fast-paced, high-scoring style has made them a live threat at this stage, even for a team like Real Madrid.
Bayern Munich (9th) vs Crvena Zvezda (10th)
- Date: April 15
- Venue: SAP Garden, Munich
Bayern Munich concluded the regular season with a 19-15 record. It was a regular campaign where they showed resilience and discipline throughout, and they will be hoping to take these attributes into what is a do-or-die matchup against Crvena Zvezda. Their balanced roster and home-court advantage are factors they will lean on when the action gets underway on April 15.
Crvena Zvezda, who finished 10th overall, had a record of 18-16. They entered the Play-In after a narrow overtime loss at the hands of Panathinaikos and will be hoping to have put that setback behind them in Munich. Despite what’s gone before, the team has impressed offensively, with players like Codi Miller-McIntyre and Nemanja Nedovic leading the charge.
Tactical Breakdowns
Real Madrid vs Paris Basketball
Real Madrid enter the Play-In fixture between themselves and Paris Basketball on a six-game winning streak. They’ve put this run together thanks to their quality, experience, and depth, and it’s why in Real Madrid vs Paris Basketball, they’re the clear favourites to win.
Key to their success will be controlling the game’s tempo and then leveraging their interior strength. Walter Tavares, a dominant presence in the paint, will be looking to disrupt Paris’s offensive rhythm with his shot-blocking and rebounding.
Offensively, expect to see Madrid utilise pick-and-roll situations to exploit Paris’s defensive frailties. This should allow the likes of Mario Hezonja and Dzanan Musa to find scoring opportunities and to make Paris pay. Facundo Campazzo’s playmaking will be crucial here too. As will Madrid’s bench depth and the contributions that can be made from it.
For Paris to have success, they must push the tempo and capitalise on any transition opportunities that present themselves before Madrid’s defence can get set. Spacing the floor with shooters like Nadir Hifi and Tyson Ward will open up driving lanes for the likes of TJ Shorts.
Defensively, Paris should apply full-court pressure in an attempt to disrupt Madrid’s offensive flow and to force turnovers. It needs to be a high-energy performance, and executing the game plan with precision is a must.
Bayern Munich vs Crvena Zvezda
Bayern Munich have a strong roster and a solid home record, two things that put them in a great position ahead of this Play-In fixture. Their offensive game revolves around Carsen Edwards, who currently averages 16.9 PIR, and Shabazz Napier, both capable of creating chances for themselves and for teammates.
Bayern will look to focus on moving the ball to find openings, especially beyond the arc, as this is where they’re most effective. Defensively, containing Crvena Zvezda’s threats from the perimeter and controlling the defensive glass will help them limit second-chance points.
Captain Vladimir Lucic is set to return for the home team in Bayern Munich vs Crvena Zvezda, and this will be a major boost, as his leadership is always key and is missed when he’s not playing.
There’s no doubt that Crvena Zvezda have strength on the interior, and they must leverage it against Bayern through players like Joel Bolomboy and Filip Petrusev, as they can provide scoring and rebounding.
Establishing a strong inside presence can up perimeter opportunities for shooters such as Nemanja Nedovic. Defensively, putting pressure on Bayern’s guards will be essential in disrupting their offensive rhythm.
Crvena Zvezda’s initial aim will be to keep the game within reach, and this can be achieved if they successfully limit turnovers and execute their half-court sets efficiently to control the tempo.
Playoff Implications
The Play-In Showdown will ultimately help determine the matchups that take place in the playoffs. The winner of Real Madrid vs Paris Basketball will claim the 7th seed and face Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the quarterfinals. The loser of this game will play the winner of Bayern Munich vs Crvena Zvezda to determine the 8th seed and who will go on to play Olympiacos Piraeus.
The stakes are as high as they come, as advancing through the Play-In not only secures a playoff place but determines a path forward in the tournament. It’s EuroLeague basketball at its most exciting, and all the action can be wagered on at BetVictor via the EuroLeague betting markets and odds page.
Final Thoughts
The Play-In Showdown has certainly added an extra layer of excitement to proceedings where the EuroLeague is concerned. There are two EuroLeague heavyweights involved this time round in, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and you’d expect both to come through their initial challenges. That’s not to write off the chances of Paris Basketball and Crvena Zvezda, but the home teams have great records on home soil and are proven winners. Paris Basketball are newcomers to the scene, and while they’re a surprise package who have impressed, this could and should be a step too far.
