Barcelona refused to surrender on Tuesday, delivering a dominant performance to defeat Crvena Zvezda 80-72 in the EuroLeague play-in and keep their season alive. The victory, secured at the Palau Blaugrana, sets up a decisive showdown with AS Monaco for a playoff berth.
The Catalans entered the game facing elimination, needing a win to avoid an early exit from Europe’s premier club competition. From the opening tip, they responded with urgency, building a double-digit lead within the first quarter and never relinquishing control.
Will Clyburn was the catalyst, erupting for 18 points in just over eight minutes of first-quarter action. He began the game by making his first six three-point attempts, a flawless start that gave Barcelona an early 29-21 advantage. Clyburn finished the opening period 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, setting a new club record for most points by a Barcelona player in a single quarter in EuroLeague history.
His shooting barrage came at a critical moment, silencing the home crowd’s early nerves and shifting momentum decisively in Barcelona’s favor. The American forward’s efficiency forced Crvena Zvezda into chasing the game from the outset, a deficit they struggled to overcome despite flashes of resistance.
Willy Hernangómez provided steady support in the second quarter, helping maintain Barcelona’s lead as Crvena Zvezda briefly threatened to close the gap. By halftime, the advantage had stretched to 14 points (47-33), reflecting Barcelona’s command on both ends of the floor.
After the break, Barcelona extended their lead further, pushing the margin past 20 points at one stage. Crvena Zvezda showed signs of life in the final period, trimming the deficit to single digits late, but Barcelona’s composure and depth prevented any serious comeback bid.
The win improves Barcelona’s chances of advancing to the quarterfinals, where they would face Olympiacos should they defeat Monaco in Friday’s decisive matchup. Monaco earned their place in the play-in game by losing to Panathinaikos in the first round, setting up a winner-takes-all contest with significant implications for both clubs.
Xavi Pascual’s side will now turn its focus to the upcoming challenge, knowing that another loss would end their EuroLeague campaign. For Clyburn, the performance was a statement of leadership under pressure — exactly the kind of contribution Barcelona needed when the stakes were highest.
The victory also halted a recent skid and restored confidence in a squad that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency this season. With the play-in format offering no second chances, Barcelona’s ability to deliver when it mattered most could prove pivotal in shaping the remainder of their season.
As the team prepares for Friday’s showdown, the message is clear: Barcelona is not ready to fold. They have answered adversity with resolve, and now stand one win away from returning to the playoff conversation.
Stay tuned for updates on Barcelona’s EuroLeague journey as they seek to turn resilience into results.
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