Trabzonspor Basketbol opened their Basketball Champions League campaign with a 93-83 overtime victory against Nanterre 92 at Hayri Gür Spor Salonu, Haber61 reported.
Hayri Gür Spor Salonu Thriller Opens European Run
The opening fixture of the European competition saw the French visitors start brightly on the road. Nanterre 92 claimed a narrow 19-18 lead at the end of the first quarter in Trabzon.
Trabzonspor responded in the second period, seizing control of the tempo to build a 45-41 advantage by halftime. The hosts extended that margin further in the third quarter by posting 19 points, pushing the score to 64-54 heading into the final frame.
However, the home side stumbled in the fourth quarter, managing just 12 points while allowing Nanterre 92 to claw back and force overtime with the score tied at 76-76.
Selçuk Ernak Warns Team on Late-Game Focus
Trabzonspor head coach Selçuk Ernak addressed the media after the final buzzer, pointing out that Nanterre 92 operates with a dangerous system built on swift transitions and sharp ball movement.
Ernak highlighted specific areas of concern from the box score, noting that conceding 21 offensive rebounds and allowing 24 assists required deep internal analysis. Despite those defensive lapses, he praised the bench unit for delivering a vital 61 points.
The coach reflected on the missed opportunities when his team held a 10-point cushion late in regulation, admitting that squandering that cushion affected their defensive intensity and invited the opponent back into the contest. He stressed that while veteran character carried them through the finish, the squad must learn to preserve advantages until the final whistle.
Yiğit Arslan Emphasizes Urgent Need for Opening Win
Guard Yiğit Arslan admitted the game proved far more difficult than anticipated. He noted that the team struggled defensively in the opening half before showing a stronger reaction after the intermission.
Arslan pointed out that holding a 12-point lead should have provided a more comfortable path to victory, but credited the opposition for fighting back. He emphasized the immense physical and mental effort required in overtime to secure the result.
“We needed to win this match,” Arslan stated regarding the pre-game discussions. He expressed optimism for the future of the roster, thanked the club’s supporters, and vowed that the players would continue pushing their limits.
Overtime Dominance Secures the Final Margin
Once the extra session tipped off, the home side seized the momentum that had slipped away in regulation. Trabzonspor outplayed their opponents decisively in the five-minute overtime period, pouring in 17 points to pull away for the 93-83 final scoreline.
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