Fenerbahce – Zalgiris 73-67: Returned from -17 and avoided the accident

Although they were on the back foot by 17 points, Fenerbahce countered vigorously and took the win over Zalgiris with them 73-67 in Istanbul for his 22nd game EuroLeague, further sinking of the Lithuanians. Without Sasa Obradovic on the bench due to coronavirus and with De Colo, Veseli and a few other players absent, the hosts looked plucky and, with the help of the crowd, clinched their ninth win.

Lithuanians missed a great chance for a psychological victory and remained on the last place in the table despite their 15th defeat. The first scorer for Fenerbahce was the great Marko Guduric with 19 points, while for Zalgiris Lukosiunas had 15 and Blazevic 10 with 10 rebounds.

The race

Eventually, the visitors came into play, starting strong on both sides of the field and surprising Fenerbahce despite the five mistakes they made early on. The hosts showed an imbalance, didn’t move the ball properly and gave Zalgiris a chance to run into the transition zone with a low score in the first ten minutes. At the beginning of the second half, the guests drove the difference into double digits and showed a good face in defense and attack. A breakout from Fenerbahce brought the game to a relative level, while Pierre’s dead-time basket sent both teams to the dressing room with a +6 difference in favor of the visitors.

In the second half the game changed completely, Fenerbahce woke up, although at first they were surprised and gradually seemed to find their rhythm. Zalgiris’ three-pointers kept the visitors in front of goal while Fener found crucial baskets from Guduric. Lukosiounas came forward for the Lithuanians, put in an excellent display, but the game turned into a derby by a four difference midway through the fourth period. The Turks equalized the game and took the lead through shots from Guduric and completed the overthrow with a great win.

THE REFEREES: Garcia, Paternico, Cardum

THE TEN MINUTES: 7-13, 24-30, 44-51, 73-67

Fenerbahçe: Hazer 13 (3), Mahmutoglu 2, Biberovic 9 (1), Henry, Pierre 5, Guduric 19 (3/5 three points, 5 assists), Floyd, Booker 6, Polonara 10 (2/3 three points, 8 rebounds ). ), Duverioglou 9

ZALGIRIS: Blazevic 10 (10 rebounds), Lekavitsius 5 (1), Nibo 4, Kalnietis 9 (1), Lukosiounas 15 (5), Cavanaugh 2, Gifai 6 (2), Ulanovas 16 (2)

Team Stats – Fenerbahce: 17/34, two points 9/25 three points, 12/16 shots, 30 rebounds (21+9), 17 assists, 9 steals, 14 errors, 1 block.

Group Stats – Zalgiris: 14/31 two points, 11/32 three points, 6/6 shots, 35 rebounds (23 + 12), 15 assists, 7 steals, 14 errors, 2 blocks.

The following duties of the teams: In the 23rd game Fenerbahce plays away at Maccabi (27.1., 21:15) and Zalgiris plays against Armani in Milan (28.1., 21:30).