Cazo for Efes, they were defeated by the indifferent Alba and stayed away from the eight!

Defeat-shock me 95-93 suffered in Berlin from the indifferent grades Alba the Effectsstaying away from the first eight of this year’s Euroleague!

The European champions needed a win to stay close to the play-off spots, but they found a spirited Alba against them, who fought with all their might, leading by as much as 19 points midway through the third period and eventually celebrated the victory thanks to Sikma’s follow-up nail, 1.3” before the end!

Thus, Efes was defeated for the 16th time in this year’s tournament (14-16) and was stuck in 11th place in the standings, one win away from the playoffs and with the margins of qualifying for the playoffs narrowing dangerously. On the other hand, Alba improved to 9-21, celebrating their second consecutive victory after last week’s German derby against Bayern.

Top for the winners are Smith (25p, 7/10 three-pointers), Lo (16p.) and Sikma (9 points, 8 assists), while for Efes they stood out Micic (30p. With 4/7 three-pointers), Clyburn (19p, 6 reb.) and Zizic (13 points, 6 rebounds).

The match

The match started with both teams showing a good face offensively, with Micic to score five quick points and put her in front Effects, by 9-5. Another 3-pointer by Micic made it 8 personal points for 11-16, before Alba responded with a 9-0 run to go ahead 20-16 and end the first period with a three-point lead (24-21).

The hosts maintained their high percentages of accuracy at the beginning of the second quarter, taking an 8-point lead (33-25) for the first time in the 14th minute, thanks to a three-pointer by Blatt and his two points Wetzel. With its weapon of surprise, well-placed three-pointers, but also its aggressive streak Maodo Lothe Alba kept the lead in her favor and went to the locker room with +9 (49-40), thanks to a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Smith.

Jaleen Smith beats the buzzer with a three-pointer??@albarberlin #7DAYSMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/dfNQqTebiK

— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) March 23, 2023

THE Alba went on a rampage in the second half as well, throwing the difference in their favor to +19 (61-42 at 24′)before Efes… flipped the switch, causing a reaction with their protagonists Clyburn and Bryant. The visitors went on a 25-7 run late in the third period, with Clyburn cutting it to a point (68-67).

In fact, Efes went ahead (68-72) with Clyburn to reach the age of 17 and Micic the 21, while taking a five-point lead (75-82), with the match entering its last five minutes. However Alba showed character again, tying it at 84-84 with an impressive Smith and making it 93-93 with another 3-pointer, this time by Blatt, with 32” left in the final. Micic took the next possession without getting to the basket and Sikma scored with a follow-up dunk, giving the Germans the big win!

.@LCSikma43 dunks and WINS IT for @albarberlin?? #7DAYSMagicMoment pic.twitter.com/4H9slpvs55

— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) March 23, 2023

The quarters: 24-21, 49-40, 68-67, 95-93

The match statistics