JWSport Jacek Waszak – Sport journalist
In the finals of the Euroleague in Spanish Vitoria CSKA defeated Anadolu Efes Istanbul 91:83 Third place won defending the trophy Real Madrid beat Fenerbahce Istanbul team, as much as 94:75
CSKA has been run since 2014 by the Greek coach Dimitris Itudis, who took part in the team’s previous triumph in the Euroleague in the season 2015/2016. In two consecutive editions, the team ended in the semi-finals – the finals were won first by Fenerbahce Istanbul, and recently by Real Madrid.
The match was watched by 13,420 spectators, the Russian team quickly took the lead and controlled the game until the end, although the rivals from Turkey did not give up easily.
CSKA players threw 20 points each for the winners, the Americans Will Clyburn and Cory Higgins scored, and 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assistance added Frenchman Nando De Colo. The team from Moscow hit as many as 14 out of 22 threesomes, and yet throughout the season, it was Efes’s main weapon. Meanwhile, in the decisive match snipers from Istanbul missed, especially Vasilije Micic, who used only 2 out of 9 attempts per bow and had a total of barely 10 points. Shane Larkin, Efesu’s playmaker, worked hard in the Istanbul team, and after a great semi-final, he scored 29 points this time. He scored incredible threesomes,
This is the eighth CSKA triumph in the history of the Euroleague (until 1996 the games were held under the name of the Club Cup of European Champions). Previously, they celebrated their triumph in 2016.
A year ago, the final tournament was a showcase of Real Madrid. The final victory over Fenerbahce Istanbul was the crowning achievement of Luka Doncic’s short but concise career in Europe. The 19-year-old Slovene won the MVP title in the final tournament and soon afterward became a Dallas Mavericks player in the NBA. Then Fenerbahce Istanbul had no chance to compete with Real in the final, but without Doncic Real was no longer the favorite number 1.
Final Four:
The match for the 1st place
MOSCOW – ANADOLU EFES ISTANBUL 91:83 (29:20, 15:22, 24:20, 23:21)
CSKA Moscow : Will Clyburn 20, Cory Higgins 20, Nando De Colo 15, Kyle Hines 9.
Anadolu Efes: Shane Larkin 29, Krunoslav Simon 15, Bryan Dunston 13, Vasilije Micic 10.
3rd place match
FENERBAHCE ISTANBUL – REAL MADRID 75:94 (16:24, 24:14, 23:31, 12:25)
Fenerbahce : Kostas Slukas 17, Melih Mahmutoglu 14, Marko Guduric 11.
Real Madrid : Gustawo Ayon 23, Fabien Causeur 13, Facundo Campazzo 12, Trey Thompkins 12.
