The first matches of the third round of the Euroleague were played in the evening (Olympiakos-Milan and Virtus Bologna-Zalgiris Kaunas in a separate service). Highlights are the Spanish derby between Baskonia and Real Madrid and the one between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Anadolu Efes. In the other scheduled matches Alba Berlin hosted Asvel Villeurbane and Fenerbahce faced Red Star. In the last two matches, Paris Basketball challenged the reigning champions Panathinaikos and Partizan Belgrade played against Bayern Munich. Here’s what happened in the challenges:
ALBA BERLINO-ASVEL VILLEURBANE 84-79
Important victory for Alba Berlin at home against Asvel Villeurbane which allows them to move up the rankings and thus find their first European victory despite the three knockouts. The same balance also applies to the French team which is struggling to find continuity in the Euroleague and thus still remains in the lower part of the ranking. The match was decided by a 20-13 run by the home team in the first quarter. For Alba Berlin 21 points from Hermansson and 16 from Spagnolo.
WHO match statistics
FENERBAHCE-STELLA ROSSA 57-76
Clear victory for Red Star in Türkiye against Fenerbahce, a success that allows them to remain unbeaten with three victories in as many matches played. An unexpected defeat for the home team, who after two good performances in the first two matches collapsed incredibly and now an immediate reaction will be necessary to avoid losing ground in the standings. Game decided by a 26-12 run by the Serbian team in the first quarter. For Red Star comes the double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds from Joel Bolomboy, for Fenerbahce 20 points from Nigel Hayes-Davis.
WHO match statistics
MACCABI TEL AVIV-ANADOLU EFES 93-91
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Anadolu Efes in a sprint, thus finding their second success at the expense of a knockout, confirming themselves in the top part of the rankings. The Turkish team struggles to find continuity in Europe, suffering their second consecutive knockout and remaining mid-table with just one success and two knockouts. The match was decided by a 21-17 run by the home team in the fourth period. For Maccabi Tel Aviv 23 points from Saben Lee, for Efes 22 points from Vincent Poirier.
WHO match statistics
PARIS BASKETBALL-PANATHINAIKOS 84-80
Paris Basketball surprises Panathinaikos by obtaining its first success in the Euroleague and thus breaking the deadlock after the two knockouts in the first two matches played. A surprising knockout for the Greek team which puts an end to their unbeaten run after having convinced with two convincing successes in this start to the European season. Game decided by a 24-20 run by the home team in the third quarter. For Paris came 20 points from Nadir Hifi, for Panathinaikos came the double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds from Mathias Lessor.
WHO match statistics
BASKONIA-REAL MADRID 76-72
The Spanish derby goes to Baskonia which surprisingly defeats Real Madrid and finds its second success in this European start with just one knockout. Completely opposite situation for Los Blancos who suffer their second defeat in just three matches played and now a reaction will be expected from them from the next round. The match was decided by a partial score of 28-20 for the home team in the fourth period. For Baskonia 15 points from Marcus Howard, for Real Madrid 14 points from Walter Tavares.
WHO match statistics
PARTIZAN BELGRADO-BAYERN MONACO 86-78
Important success for Partizan against Bayern Munich which allows him to return to success in the Euroleague and find his first European success. For the Bavarian team, however, comes the second consecutive defeat after the one against Panathinaikos and therefore sees them collapse in the standings with just one success and two defeats. Game decided by a 25-17 run by the home team in the second quarter. For Partizan 22 points from Sterling Brown, for Bayern 15 points from Andreas Obst.
WHO match statistics
THIS the ranking
