Anadolu Efes Falls 77-72 to Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade
Anadolu Efes dropped a 77-72 decision to Crvena Zvezda at the Belgrad Arena in Round 3 of the EuroLeague regular season. The Turkish side absorbed its second defeat of the continental campaign after starting the week with a victory against Real Madrid, while the Serbian hosts secured their first win of the season in front of their home supporters.
A Defensive Battle Sets a Tight First Half
The match began with a balanced rhythm as both sides traded baskets during the opening minutes. Guards Strazel and other perimeter options fueled the visiting side’s early offense, helping Anadolu Efes take a narrow 10-9 advantage at the 5-minute mark. Intense defense on both ends quickly ran into unforced turnovers, leaving the scoreboard largely stagnant through the first seven minutes. Late surge attempts from both benches increased the offensive tempo before the first quarter closed with Anadolu Efes ahead 21-19.
The tight contest carried directly into the second period. While Anadolu Efes relied on scoring contributions across multiple players, Crvena Zvezda stayed within striking distance through baskets from Moneke and Nwora. Lead changes occurred several times before the home side edged ahead to take a 37-36 edge into halftime.
Crvena Zvezda Capitalizes on Moneke’s Scoring Run
The third quarter opened with rapid exchanges before Crvena Zvezda seized momentum behind Moneke’s dominant offensive stretch. Anadolu Efes answered inside the paint through contributions from key frontcourt targets, limiting the home side’s ability to stretch the margin. The third period ended with the Serbian club holding a 56-53 advantage.
The visitors faced a deeper hurdle early in the fourth quarter when James exited due to an injury, leaving the offense temporarily rattled. Capitalizing on the disruption, Crvena Zvezda pushed its lead to eight points at 63-55 with 33 minutes elapsed on the game clock. Anadolu Efes responded with a 6-0 run fueled by scores from multiple perimeter threats to trim the deficit back to two points at 63-61 by the 34th minute.
Final Seconds Slip Away After Missed Opportunity
The closing moments delivered intense drama inside the Belgrad Arena. With just nine seconds remaining and the score standing at 73-71 in favor of the hosts, Anadolu Efes missed a wide-open perimeter shot that could have shifted the lead. Forced to stop the clock immediately, the visitors conceded a foul to Carter, who converted both free throws to extend the margin to 75-71. Crvena Zvezda executed cleanly on subsequent tactical fouls to seal the 77-72 victory.
Individual standout performances ultimately fell short for the visiting side. Stat sheets showed strong efforts from multiple players, but the final buzzer confirmed the road loss. Match statistics recorded Gytis Vilius, Steve Bittner, and Sergio Manuel as the officiating crew for the EuroLeague fixture.
Anadolu Efes and Crvena Zvezda Both Hold 1-2 Records
The result leaves Anadolu Efes holding a 1-2 record through three EuroLeague rounds following their opening win against Real Madrid. Crvena Zvezda collected their inaugural victory of the European campaign, moving their record to 1-2. Both clubs continue demanding schedules in the premier European club competition as the regular season unfolds.
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