Superleague Round 26: Zakho lose to Al Naft in the game between Top 4 teams

There are only two more rounds left in the Regular Season in Superleague. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game between Top Four teams took place in Baghdad. Top-ranked host Al Naft (19-0) smashed 4th ranked Zakho (10-8) 87-68. Undefeated Al Naft have an impressive 19-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-0 record. Zakho at the other side keeps the fourth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Al-Hashd. Al Naft are looking forward to face Al-Tadamoun (#6) in Najef in the next round where they are favorite. Zakho will play on the road against Nift Al-Basra and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.
The game in Najef was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Al Hilla (8-9) played at the court of eighth ranked Al-Tadamoun (9-10). Al-Tadamoun managed to secure a 5-point victory 71-66. Al-Tadamoun have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Ghaz Al-Shamal. Al Hilla at the other side dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Al-Tadamoun will play against league's leader Al Naft in Baghdad in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Hilla will play against the league's second-placed Al-Jameaa (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.
The game in Basra was also quite interesting. Third ranked Al Shorta (12-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Nift Al-Basra (8-6). Al Shorta managed to secure a 6-point victory 81-75 on Friday. Al Shorta maintains third position with 12-6 record having eight points less than leader Al Naft. Loser Nift Al-Basra dropped to the eighth place with six games lost. Al Shorta will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nift Al-Basra will play against Zakho (#5) and hope to secure a win.

There were no shocking results in the other games in round 26: Ghaz Al-Shamal won against Nift Al-Shamal on the opponent's court 103-93. Al-Jameaa managed to outperform Al Kahraba in a home game 75-59. Al Shorta managed to beat Al-Semawah on the road 80-67.

Al-Tadamoun - Al Hilla 71-66

The game in Najef was also worth to mention about. 7th ranked Al Hilla (8-9) played at the court of eighth ranked Al-Tadamoun (9-10). Al-Tadamoun managed to secure a 5-point victory 71-66. Al-Tadamoun have a solid three-game winning streak. They moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Ghaz Al-Shamal. Al Hilla at the other side dropped to the ninth position with nine games lost. Al-Tadamoun will play against league's leader Al Naft in Baghdad in the next round and they do not belong to the favorites in that game. Al Hilla will play against the league's second-placed Al-Jameaa (#2) and hopes to get back on the winning track.

Nift Al-Shamal - Ghaz Al-Shamal 93-103

Rather expected game in Kirkuk where 12th ranked Nift Al-Shamal (2-17) was defeated by ninth ranked Ghaz Al-Shamal (9-10) 103-93 on Thursday. Ghaz Al-Shamal moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Al-Tadamoun. Loser Nift Al-Shamal stay at the bottom position with 17 games lost. Ghaz Al-Shamal will meet higher ranked Al-Hashd (#4) in the next round and it may be quite challenging game. Nift Al-Shamal will have a break next round.

Al-Jameaa - Al Kahraba 75-59

Very predictable result when second ranked Al-Jameaa (13-5) defeated at home 10th ranked Al Kahraba (7-11) 75-59 on Thursday. Al-Jameaa have an impressive nine-game winning streak. They maintain second position with 13-5 record having seven points less than leader Al Naft. Al Kahraba lost third consecutive game. They keep the tenth place with 11 games lost. Al-Jameaa will meet at home Al Hilla (#9) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Al Kahraba will have a break next round.

Nift Al-Basra - Al Shorta 75-81

The game in Basra was also quite interesting. Third ranked Al Shorta (12-6) played at the court of 6th ranked Nift Al-Basra (8-6). Al Shorta managed to secure a 6-point victory 81-75 on Friday. Al Shorta maintains third position with 12-6 record having eight points less than leader Al Naft. Loser Nift Al-Basra dropped to the eighth place with six games lost. Al Shorta will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Nift Al-Basra will play against Zakho (#5) and hope to secure a win.

Al Naft - Zakho 87-68

The game between Top Four teams took place in Baghdad. Top-ranked host Al Naft (19-0) smashed 4th ranked Zakho (10-8) 87-68. Al Naft have an impressive 19-game winning streak. Defending champion maintains first position with 19-0 record. Zakho at the other side keeps the fourth place with eight games lost. They share the position with Al-Hashd. Al Naft are looking forward to face Al-Tadamoun (#6) in Najef in the next round where they are favorite. Zakho will play on the road against Nift Al-Basra and is hoping to prove to their fans that the loss was just an accident.

Al-Semawah - Al Shorta 67-80

Not a big story in a game when 11th ranked Al-Semawah (2-16) was defeated at home by third ranked Al Shorta (12-6) 80-67 on Sunday. Al Shorta maintains third position with 12-6 record having eight points less than leader Al Naft. Al-Semawah lost twelfth consecutive game. They keep the eleventh place with 16 games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.