In Türkiye, a test of maturity: few men, clear ideas and a Shark that never backs down
Türkiye – Trapani is not on stage to participate in Bursa. He goes to fight. And he does it as it used to be done: few men, clear ideas, straight back.
The Shark plays a real game, the kind that doesn’t end up in the scoreboards but stays with us. He starts with personality, defends, runs, makes mistakes and makes amends. Then he suffers, as is normal when you are away from home and in front of you you have a physical, deep team, used to these stages. But he never gives up.
At the end of the regulation season Trapani is tired, yes, but clear-headed. He recovers balls, finds heavy baskets, forces overtime with his head even before with his hands. It’s 84-84 that says it all: no surrender, no alibi.
The extra time is a test of nerves. Triples that weigh like boulders, mistakes, sudden flare-ups. Notae and Hurt take responsibility as leaders, but the group keeps the game going: those who defend, those who fight for rebounds, those who do the right thing without being noticed.
In the end the result matters up to a certain point. What remains is the image of a team that knows how to stay on the pitch, that knows how to suffer and that, even far from Sicily, brings with it a clear identity. Trapani leaves the parquet without celebrating, but with one more certainty: this Shark, when needed, really knows how to growl.
Final standings – Group D (Basketball Champions League)
- Tenerife – 10 points (4 wins, 2 losses)
- Tofas Bursa – 9 points (3 wins, 3 losses)
- Trapani Shark – 9 points (3 wins, 3 losses)
- Bnei Herzliya – 8 points (2 wins, 4 losses)
Trapani closes third on equal points with Tofaspaying only the difference in goals, but still gaining access to the next phase. A placement that confirms the solidity of Shark’s European path, built with continuity and character.
The news:
In Bursa, Trapani Shark plays a game of great substance, but heart isn’t enough: Tofas prevails in overtime 99-93 at the end of an intense and hard-fought match until the last possession
First quarter of grenade brand. Despite the absences of Rossato and Ford, Trapani started with personality, defended strongly and ran the pitch well. Notae is immediately hot, Hurt makes an impact near the basket and the Shark escapes at +14 (10-24), finishing ahead 18-25.
In the second period the Turks try to come back relying on the physicality of Blazevic and the playmaking of Perez. Trapani controls with order, finds points from Cappelletti and Eboua and maintains the lead until the long interval: 42-47.
After the break, Tofas raises the intensity. Perez and Lewis hit from the arc, Trapani responds with Notae and Eboua, but the margin narrows. The third quarter ends at 62-65, with the game now wide open.
The last period is a battle of nerves. Trapani tries to push forward several times, even reaching +10, but is unable to close. The Turks recovered patiently, took advantage of a bloody turnover and found the equalizer six seconds from the end with Perez: 84-84. Notae’s last shot doesn’t go in, it goes to overtime.
In the extra time it was all Tofas’s start, who hit threes and gained momentum. Trapani reacts again with Notae and Hurt, remaining in the game until a minute before the siren, but in the last decisive possessions they pay for some forced choices. Perez closes the score from the line and in penetration: 99-93.
Trapani comes out defeated but not reduced to size: with eight men, away from home, Shark showed character and identity, finishing the Basketball Champions League group in third place and gaining access to the next phase.
The match scoreboard
TOFAS BURSA – TRAPANI SHARK 99-93 d.t.s.
Partial: 18-28; 24-18; 20-19; 22-19; 15-9
TOFAS BURSA:
Cengiz 2, Perez 22, Saybir 9, Whaley 15, Postel ne, Gecim 2, Lewis 10, Blazevic 15, Serbest ne, Besson 16, Korkmaz 5, Thomasson 3.
Trainer: Emil Rajkovic
Assistants: Murat Yilmaz, Marko Velickovic
TRAPANI SHARK:
Eboua 10, Cappelletti 9, Notae 27, Arcidiacono 9, Pugliatti 3, Petrucelli 9, Sanogo 7, Patti ne, Hurt 19.
Trainer: Alex Latini
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