Intro:

FC Barcelona Regal and Israel's Maccabi Electra clinched a place in the Euroleague quarter-finals after wins in week 5 of the top 16 on Thursday (February 23).

Barcelona booked their place by edging Bennet Cantu in Italy while Maccabi proved too strong for Zalgiris Kaunas in Tel Aviv.

Victories for Real Madrid, Fenerbahce Ulker and Emporio Armani kept alive their chances of qualifying for the final eight.

Script:

As 'Linsanity' sweeps across the NBA and the globe, the Euroleague quietly went about their business.

Fenerbahce went into their week 5 match with Unics Kazan on Thursday (23 February) needing a win to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

But it was the visitors who made the stronger start, and the Russians had a five point lead at the first break.

Fenerbahce clawed themselves back into it in the second quarter and reduced the deficit to two by half time.

Kazan, led by Lynn Greer's game high 33 points, strolled to a 55-68 lead in the third quarter.

Desperate for the win, the Turkish side threw everything at their opponents in the dying seconds and Roko Ukic landed a buzzer beater to force overtime.

The home side's momentum saw them over the line as they go into the final week with their last eight aspirations in tact.

Maccabi Electra had the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals if they could defeat Lithuanian side Zalgiric Kaunas.

The Israelis got off to the worst possible start, as Kaunas led by 14 points at the end of the fist quarter.

But Maccabi didn't give in and they chipped away the deficit before reducing it to five in the third quarter.

A lay up from top scorer Keith Langford in the last few seconds helped secure a 70-66 win and safe passage to the last eight for Maccabi.

Unbeaten in Group H, Barcelona would guarantee top spot if they could overcome Italian side Bennet Cantu.

Cantu, which needed a win to stay alive, matched Barcelona at every turn.

But the 2010 European champions experience shone through as they held on to win the contest by a solitary point.

Barca's great rivals Real Madrid needed a victory in the all Spanish affair with Unicaja.

It didn't show in the first quarter as winless Unicaja led by 8 at the first break.

A pep talk sparked Madrid into life and they took control thanks partly to Nikola Mirotic's game high 18 points.

The home side eventually won comfortably 86-65 and stayed in the hunt for a quarter-final spot.

Greek side Panathinaikos could knock Emporio Armani out of the competition with a win in Athens.

But Armani, spearheaded by their star guard Omar Cook, led at every turn to record an important 58-67 victory on the road and keep alive their final eight hopes.