Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: 2017/2018 tips off
International basketball fans have been waiting over a long summer for the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague to return. The 2017/2018 season in Europe’s elite competition tipped off with a typical bang. Last season’s Final Four were all in action, including reigning champs Fenerbahce Istanbul.
Now is as good a time as any to reflect on Fener’s unpredicted win. Entering the Final Four, it was Real Madrid and CSKA Moscow (former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague winners) who the favourites after hot seasons. Olympiacos Piraeus (another previous champ) and Fenerbahce were outsiders for the title. However, the Turkish team roared to its first ever EuroLeague success.
On Thursday, a new season tipped off, but the title favourites showed they will be in the mix again this season.
Brose Bamberg vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv, 71-88
After a poor season last term, Maccabi Tel Aviv got off strong start with a win over Brose Bamberg in Germany. The teams traded the first and second quarters, with Tel Aviv a single point up, at 36-37 through halftime. Brose Bamberg fought back in the third act to lead 59-55 through the thirty-minute mark. However, Maccabi Tel Aviv settle the contest with an impressive 12-33 run in the fourth act.
Pierre Jackson was an all-round threat with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists in the win, while Michael Roll added 16 points.
Nikos Zisis scored 16 points to lead Brose Bamberg.
Olympiacos Piraeus vs. Baskonia, 75-64
Olympiacos was too strong for a Baskonia team that has started the season poorly. In this contest, last season’s runner-up was 41-33 in front through the halftime rest. Emerging from the locker room, Olympiacos extended in the third quarter to put the game to bed. Baskonia could not rally in the final period.
Georgios Printezis secured 17 points in victory.
Anadolu Efes Istanbul vs. Real Madrid, 74-88
Los Blancos overcame a tricky road test in the fire pit of Istanbul to see off Anadolu Efes. The Spanish giant got off to a flyer with a 19-28 first quarter before a 17-17 second give Madrid a 36-45 lead at the long break. Efes secured the third act, but Real Madrid hit again with an 18-26 fourth that secured a cruising win.
Luka Doncic was excellent with 27 points in the win, while Gustavo Aron had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Errick McCollum secured 26 points in the losing effort, followed by Ricky Ledo and Bryant Dunston with 17 points apiece.
CSKA Moscow vs. EA7 Milan, 93-84
CSKA’s offense proved too strong for a courageous Milan in the Russian capital. However, an 18-30 first quarter propelled the Italian champs to a 10-point 38-48 advantage through halftime. the Army Men wrestled back the initiative with a 28-16 third act and eased to victory thanks to 55 second half points.
Cory Higgins dropped 21 points in the success, with Sergio Rodriguez adding 20 points. Will Clyburn doubled up with 15 points and 12 boards.
Andrew Goudelock supplied Milan with 17 points, while Vladimir Micov added 16 points.
Unicaja Malaga vs. Fenerbahce Istanbul, 68-67
A contest between 2016’s EuroCup (Malaga) and EuroLeague champions was a tight and tense affair that saw the Spanish hosts fight back from a losing deficit to win. It’s too early in the season to draw lasting conclusions, but Malaga will be happy to be off the mark. Especially because Fenerbahce led 50-57 through the thirty-minute mark. The hosts rallied into action, reeling off a 18-10 run in the fourth quarter to snatch the game by a point.
In a low-scoring game, Giorgi Shermadini topped Malaga as the sole double digit scorer with 12 points.
Kostas Sloukas secured 15 points to pace Fenerbahce, while Luigi Datome dropped 13 points.