Anadolu Efes to visit Madrid in key EuroLeague game

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Anadolu Efes will face Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in Friday's Turkish Airlines EuroLeague as things are getting hot on top of the basketball division.

Anadolu Efes had 17-3 win/loss record to lead the EuroLeague in regular season meanwhile second-placed Real Madrid won 15 games but lost five.

The Istanbul team vow to end their 15-year-ill fate in Madrid as Anadolu Efes last beat Real Madrid in the Spanish capital in Jan. 2005.

Real Madrid have been dominant against Anadolu Efes, winning 22 games out of 29 in the EuroLeague history.

Anadolu Efes have a stunning form this season with 17 victories in 20 rounds, as they seek to extend their winning streak to six matches.

The home team, Real Madrid lost their last two games after winning 13 consecutive matches in the EuroLeague.

The Round 21 game at WiZink Center will tip off at 2000GMT.

- Fenerbahce Beko target to start new winning run

Another Turkish team Fenerbahce Beko will take on AX Armani Exchange Milan of Italy in the Round 21 on Friday.

The Istanbul club's three-match winning streak ended last week after they were beaten by Barcelona 74-80 at home.

Spending an up and down season in Europe, Fenerbahce Beko are in the 11th spot on the table with a 8-12 win/loss record while the Italian club have 10 wins but 10 losses to sit in the 8th place.

This game will start in Ulker Sports Arena at 1745GMT.

The best eight out of 18 teams will bag EuroLeague playoffs tickets to play a best-of-five series once the regular season is completed.

There will be 34 rounds in EuroLeague's regular season, ending on April 10, 2020.

The playoffs winners will go through to the EuroLeague Final Four.

The 2020 Final Four will be held in Cologne, Germany. The Lanxess Arena will host the semifinals and final on May 22-24.