Revenge is a dish that is eaten cold and served by Barcelona in Efes, with the Catalans leaving with the pink match sheet from Istanbul in a mythical match (93-95) that was judged in overtime, while taking revenge for the lost final of last year’s Euroleague.
Top of the “blaugrana” a former player of the Turks, Sertac Sanli, who scored 24 points, while he had worthy supporters Mirotic (18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists), Kuric (16 points, 6 rebounds), Laprovitola (14 points, 8 assists) .
So, Jasekivitsius’s team, which lined up without Kalathis, Abrines and Higgins, went up to 11-2 and remains with Real Madrid at the top of the standings.
For the European champion, which fell to 6-7, Mitsic (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists), Moerman (16 points, 6 rebounds) and Larkin (14 points, 6 assists) stood out.
The match
Both teams kept pace in the score in the first minutes, but Barcelona stepped on the gas and with Laprovitolas performing, ran a series of 8-0 and escaped with +7 (5-12 in 4 ‘). Nevertheless, Efes reacted and starring Simon, responded with a partial 15-4, which brought it to +4 (20-16 in 8 ‘), while it closed the ten minutes with “air” of 5 points (25-20 ).
The hosts started furiously in the 2nd period and finding a score close up, they moved away with +11 (31-20 in 13 ‘). The rise in Kuric’s performance led the Catalans to an individual score of 10-2, which brought them to -3 (33-30 in 16 ‘). Nevertheless, the Turks dominated in the final of the half and went to the locker room for the break with a double-digit difference (47-37).
With Mitsic and Larkin to be unstoppable, Efes reached up to +12 at the beginning of the 3rd quarter (57-45 in 24 ‘). Somewhere there, however, the Barcelona players reacted and with Mirotic shooting, it approached -4 (64-60 in 28 ‘). The 3rd period ended with Ataman’s team having a lead of 6 points (68-62), but the momentum clearly favors the guests.
Playing great defense and with Sunley on fire, the “blaugrana” ran a series of 10-0 at the start of the 4th period and reversed the situation (68-72 in 34 ‘). At the same time, the European champions seemed short-circuited offensively and could not find a target, in a match that turned into a “war”.
The team of Yasikevitsios escaped with +5 with a big three-pointer by Sunley in the 92 seconds before the end (75-80) and seemed to be holding the pink card in her hands. However, the hosts reacted with a series of 5-0 in the final (Mitsic’s three-pointer and Larkin’s two shots from a rather non-existent foul), equalized and sent the match into extra time, after Mirotic missed the last attack (80-80).
In the extra five minutes, the Barcelona players appeared more focused and with rational choices reached +6 (81-87) and while in the meantime Mirotic and Larkin were eliminated. Ataman followed with two technical penalties, which was sent off from his bench.
With that and that, The Catalans were eliminated with “air” of 7 points (84-91) and seemed to lock in the victory. Nevertheless, Efes had not said its last word and attempted an epic upset by reducing the score (90-91). An incredible goal-foul by Yukobaitis in 47 ” for the end, gave Barça a breath (90-94), while the hosts reduced with a three-pointer by Moerman (93-94) in 2 seconds. With 1/2 shots, Sunley signed the final 93-95 and gave a great victory to his team.
The quarters: 25-20, 47-37, 68-62, 80-80, 93-95 (par.).
See the match statistics here
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I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
