In Miribilla the Surne Bilbao will have to go back to the final after losing in the one-way match in Thessaloniki (79-73)
Ponsarnau's team has played the whole game from behind on the scoreboard, in Palataki, conditioned by the poor percentage of two-shot shots. The biggest difference for the Greeks has been 12 points, but the billiards have also been at a point.
Image: Surne Bilbao Basket
The Surne Bilbao Basket has fallen to the PAOK (79-73) in the one-way match of the FIBA European Cup final at the Palataki pavilion in Thessaloniki. The Ponsarnau have played the whole game from behindon the scoreboard and will have to go back in Miribilla to win the final again.
In the first quarter, defenses have been imposed on attacks and the scoring rate of both teams has been very low. The men in black have taken good care of Beverley in the first few minutes. However, the American star of the PAOK has scored two triples. Unfortunately, Ponsarnau's have not been so thin in attack, failing several shots that seemed comfortable.
In the second quarter, the local team went better on the court pushed by Palataki, so the Greeks were 11 points up on the scoreboard, but the billiards didn't give up and keep fighting. The Ponsarnau didn't dry the PAOK scorers as in the first quarter, and Beverley and Tyree went 16 and 10 points respectively before the break.
At the beginning of the second half the advantage of the Greek team has gone up to 12 points, the biggest difference in the match. In what seemed to bethe most critical moment of the Biscayan team, Hilliard has appeared to give the team a little push. In any case, the reaction of the men in black has not been complete, conditioned throughout the meeting by the poor shooting rate, about 35%.
Thestart of the last quarter has been very good for the billiards, who have reduced the Greek advantage to one point (60-59), which has forced the Greek coach to ask for a gap. Led by a huge Jaworski (24 points), well assisted in attack by Hilliard and Hlinason , the billiards have been able to match the PAOK's scoring pace, so the advantage for the locals has been minimal until the last few minutes.
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