Anadolu Efes opened its 2026–2027 EuroLeague campaign with an 89-82 road defeat against Spanish powerhouse Barcelona, relinquishing a double-digit early advantage down the stretch. The Turkish side started brightly, racing to a 14-point lead at 20-6 in the fifth minute before claiming a 25-16 cushion by the end of the opening quarter.
Early Momentum Slips Away at Palau Blaugrana
Barcelona mounted a fierce response in the second period, fueled by the scoring touch of Dario Brizuela, to narrow the gap and seize a narrow 45-44 advantage at halftime.
A Balanced Third Quarter Give-and-Take
The contest remained tightly contested through a balanced third quarter where Anadolu Efes relied on Dario Saric to keep the scoreboard ticking. The visitors managed to regain control momentarily, taking a 67-63 edge into the fourth and final period.
Unforced Errors Plague Visitors in Crunch Time
However, a series of unforced errors plagued Anadolu Efes down the stretch. Barcelona capitalized on these mistakes, executing crucial shots in the game’s dying minutes to secure the 89-82 victory and start their European campaign on a winning note.
Star Guards Dictate the Pace in Spain
Individual displays defined the high-intensity matchup. Barcelona secured the win behind a stellar 20-point performance from Dario Brizuela and 19 points from Kevin Punter.
Despite the loss, Anadolu Efes guard Mike James led all scorers with 22 points, while Dario Saric added 17 points to bolster the Turkish side’s offensive output. Ultimately, the scoring punch of Brizuela and Punter proved decisive as Barcelona slammed the door shut in the closing minutes.
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