Euroleague, round 1 wrapped

EuroleagueIt’s certainly good to have the Euroleague back as that blend of high octane action, excitement, and massive competitions around Europe has been missed in the off season. It is true that no competition does it quite like the Euroleague and Round 1 proved why with plenty of thrills and spills. The teams clashed with the kind of intensity you see when the season is in full swing, not just entering its first week.

So, let’s take a look back over day 2 of the first round of action as many of the continents giants entered the fray.

Group A

Nizhny Novgorod vs. Dinamo Banco di Sardegna Sassari, 88-86
This game encapsulated the Euroleague, providing spectacle and even a touch of magic. Competition debutants Nizhny Novgorod made it a game to remember at home as they fought back from a huge deficit to overturn Italian visitors Sassari.

Sardegna Sassari was also making its debut in the competition, but the visitors seemed like veterans as they cruised through the first quarter. 3-13 quickly turned to 7-26 as the Italians stormed the ten minutes and led by 19 points. After Q1 the score read 15-26 thanks to a brief Nizhny rally. The Russian hosts continued with momentum and cut into the lead in the second quarter, using a 10-0 run to make the score 43-47 at halftime. Novgorod kept up the pace through the third quarter and finally turned the game around, taking its first lead during the period to hold a 66-61 advantage after 30 minutes. The visitors won the fourth quarter to cap an exhilarating game, but Nizhny managed to hold on and record a victory.

Real Madrid vs. Zalgiris Kaunas, 80-71
Spanish giant Real Madrid opened its account with a home win over Zalgiris in a clash of the Euroleague veterans.

A tough first quarter saw plenty of action around the perimeter and in the key, but buckets were in short supply. Kaunas managed snatch a single point lead after 10 minutes, with the scoreboard reading 13-14. Not much changed during the second frame as the teams continued to trade baskets and the lead, but the visitors did manage to extend their cushion. That said, it was still a slender advantage for Zalgiris as they went in at halftime 32-35 ahead. Madrid finally found another gear as last year’s Euroleague runners up outpaced the away team through the third quarter to reclaim the lead and hold it at the final split (56-49). In the fourth quarter Madrid managed to hold the momentum and extended through the period to win the game.

Group B

ALBA Berlin vs. CSKA Moscow, 68-84
CSKA Moscow recorded the only road victory of Friday by downing German club ALBA Berlin at the O2 World.

CSKA started the game well and took an early 2-8 lead before ALBA got themselves into the contest. However, the Russians were in an early groove and kept ahead through the first period, eventually winning it 17-21. Berlin fought back at the start of the second frame and tied proceedings at 21 apiece. However, CSKA Moscow had an answer for most the Germans threw at them and after 20 minutes the visitors were 38-44 in front. Moscow continued to press during minutes 20 to 30 and at one point opened a 12 point lead. ALBA could not cut that deficit, so trailed 50-62 after 30 minutes on the floor. The German hosts could do little as CSKA switched through the gears and professionally saw out the game, certainly impressing new coach Dimitris Itoudis in the process.

Group C

Panathinaikos Athens vs. PGE Turow Zgorzelec, 84-77
Greek champions Panathinaikos started its European season with a home win over Polish club PGE Turow in Athens.

The Greens didn’t cruise through the game, but the notorious slow starters will surely warm into the competition. As for the first quarter, the Greek giant had the best of the action, but Turow kept pace for much of the frame to keep the score close at 18-14 with ten minutes played. In the second stanza the game remained frenetic as Panathinaikos kept putting all-action plays together. With the halftime buzzer sounding the hosts had opened a 42-35 lead and looked good on the hardwood. The third quarter proved decisive as the Athens based club managed to extend its lead through the term, logging a 68-59 advantage with Q4 to come. Turow hit back in the last stanza and the visitors managed to make things interesting down the stretch. However, Panathinaikos held on and celebrated victory in game 1 of the Euroleague.

Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul vs. EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, 77-74
EA7 Milan was the surprise package of last year’s competition, but more teams will be aware of the Italians this season. Fenerbahce knew what to expect and had a tight game, but the Turkish big spenders picked up an opening win at home.

The first quarter would prove to be important to the final result as the hosts looked far more ready for the game. Fenerbahce of course had the vibrant Istanbul faithful behind them and they looked better in the first exchanges to lead 26-15 at the opening interval. That 11 point advantage was pivotal as Milan went on the attack with a massive second quarter, pouring in 28 points and keeping Fener to just 15. The Italian contingent had turned the game and led 41-43 at halftime. The hosts responded well through the third period, outrunning Milan to the tune of 16-15 to cut the lead, putting the scoreboard at 57-58 through 30 minutes. EA7 held a one point cushion at the start of the fourth, but the home team had some momentum from the crowd and paced to the win with a 20-16 final flurry.

FC Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich, 83-81
It is not just in soccer that this is a glamour tie as the champions of Spain and the kings of Germany squared off in the Euroleague. It was a cracking contest too, with Barca scraping a home win, while Bayern will feel they will have plenty to offer as the competition progresses.

The lead changed through the first quarter as the two teams duked it out on the hardwood, trading buckets and mixing it up. After the opening frame they could not be separated, and the scoreboard told the story at 19-19. Not much changed in the second quarter as this became a real end to end game, arguably the best of Round 1 as both teams went for it. At the long break Barcelona had edged it, but only by a single point (44-43). A contest of margins saw both teams once again trade the lead, but Bayern seemed to be making headway against the Barca defence. However, the hosts were typically bullish and responded to extend the deficit after half hour. Entering the final quarter, Barcelona led 62-59, but Bayern didn’t give up, winning the stanza but ultimately losing the game.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.