A victory that he had in hand in the first half (+15) to have lost in the last (-12) but believed in victory, and a victory (94-99) that allows Barça to continue at the top of the classification next to Cazoo Baskonia and AS Monaco. Happy New Year, Barcelona.
In a spectacular atmosphere at the Pionir in Belgrade, Barça started determined to take control of the game. And he did it with an inspired Satoransky, who, thanks to two consecutive triples, led the Catalans to direct the rhythm of the duel (4-10).
Vildoza, invisible and injury
Vildoza had no impact on the game and it was Barça, who, with a serious game in defense, and with patience in their attacks, did damage to Ivanovic’s team. And it is that the differential factor in those first 10 minutes was the Czech point guard.
In a state of grace never seenSatoransky managed two more triples – a record for the Czech with four in the first quarter- and the difference kept growing (12-20). Barça was comfortable while Estrella’s compass man, Luca Vildoza left the game with discomfort.
Barça took advantage of it to introduce changes and freshness of legs, with the return of Sanli, and precisely a basket on the horn of the Turk gave the Barça team the maximum after the first 10 minutes (17-28).
The responsibility was assumed by the other unbalancing player of the Serbian team, Nemanja Nedovic. AAlthough in the first minutes of the second quarter, Barça continued to print the roller to reach a maximum of 15 (19-34) after Abrines triple.
Red Star reacts
Although covered by the 8,000 spectators, Ivanovic’s team reacted. A 13-0 run for the Serbs restored the confidence of the local team, led by the two players who did the most damage, Nedovic in charge and Petrusev (15 points and 8 rebounds) in the zone.
They were the best moments for Estrella against a Barça team that failed in all its attacks, where Mirotic failed to score and allowed the Belgrade team to turn the score around (40-36). Fortunately for Barça, Laprovittola appeared with a three-pointer and an action at halftime to give Barça air on the way to the locker room (40-43).
After the restart, Mirotic finally appeared with seven points in the first minutes, although a serious Red Star responded offensively with Mitrovic, Nedovic and Petrusev, in a duel that turned into an exchange of baskets without any team clearly taking control ( 52-54, m.26).
From Serbian control to extension
The final minutes of the quarter were under Serbian control, with an intractable Petrusev against a Barça that made water in attack. The difference grew to eight points at the end of the quarter (65-57) in a duel that clearly changed hands.
Estrella, led by Nedovic, had the game in hand when they went 12 out of 12 (72-60). Although Abrines appeared with two consecutive three-pointers and another from Higgins, which allowed him to return to the game in the last seconds with two more three-pointers from Abrines and Sanli (79-79).
The duel ended up being decisive in the free throws. Abrines scored two to make it 82-81 with 9 seconds left. And in the last action, Mirotic played a triple from nine meters1 to force overtime! (84-84).
Mentally, Barça started extra time in a better state despite Jasikevicius’s expulsion due to a double technique, who was overwhelmed by anxiety and tension.
Although without the Lithuanian, the blaugrana played a very solid overtime, with Higgins, Mirotic and Satoransky controlling to decide the duel (94-99) in a happy New Year’s Eve for the blaugrana in the Euroleague that keeps them at the top of the standings .
