Inaugural Euroleague Day: Narrow Victories and Surprises
The Euroleague opened its new season with seven matches played between Thursday and Friday. Dubai surprised Real Madrid in the final seconds, while Bayern Munich triumphed over Hapoel Tel Aviv with a decisive three-pointer from Voigtmann. Jonas Valanciunas returned to the competition after twelve years of absence.
The first matchday of the EuroLeague delivered a night of intense basketball, with games decided in the final moments and memorable performances from key players. Seven matches showcased the competitive level of the top continental competition, where established teams coexisted with notable surprises.
Dubai and Bayern surprise with thrilling victories
The Dubai team executed an impressive comeback to defeat Real Madrid 78-77. Filip Petrusev's defense on the last Madrid possession proved decisive, halting any attempt at a white victory. Dwayne Bacon was the top scorer for the winning team with 24 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while McKinley Wright contributed with 12 points. For Real Madrid, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Theo Maledon each scored 11 points, while Mikael Jantunen and Damian Jones added 10 each.
Bayern Munich experienced a similar scenario against Hapoel Tel Aviv. Johannes Voigtmann hit the decisive three-pointer that clinched the win for the Bavarian team 86-84, after Hapoel failed to score in their final possessions. Andreas Obst led Bayern with 19 points, followed by Johannes Thiemann with 15, Justinian Jessup with 11, and Voigtmann with 10. Dan Oturu was the standout for Hapoel with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Vasilije Micic scored 14, Jacob Toppin and Antonio Blakeney each added 11, and Elijah Bryant contributed 10.
Valanciunas returns with a memorable performance
Jonas Valanciunas marked his return to the EuroLeague after twelve years away with an outstanding performance. Zalgiris Kaunas triumphed over Red Star in Belgrade 83-77, with Valanciunas recording 15 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, and a rating of 24, the highest on the team. Nigel Williams-Goss added 14 points and six assists, Carsen Edwards scored 13, while Azuolas Tubelis registered 10 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists. Sterling Brown also finished with 10 points in the Lithuanians' victory.
Other results from the opening day
In Athens, Zeljko Obradovic received a great ovation upon his return to the Panathinaikos court before his team convincingly defeated Paris 91-72. Sylvain Francisco led the greens with 18 points, Mathias Lessort contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Guerschon Yabusele scored 13. Dinos Mitoglou finished with 11 points and Lefteris Mantzoukas with 10. Tyrick Etienne was the standout for Paris with 17 points, while Nadir Hifi and Jared Rhoden each added 11.
Olympiacos and Barcelona open with decisive victories
The reigning champion Olympiacos had a dominant start in Vitoria, defeating Baskonia 106-89. Tyler Dorsey led the team with 25 points, while MVP Sasha Vezenkov contributed 22 points and five rebounds. Jean Montero registered 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists; Tyrique Jones finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Tyson Ward added 11. AJ Lawson was the standout for Baskonia with 20 points, followed by Tadas Sedekerskis with 15.
Barcelona overcame the changes in the summer and injury issues to defeat Anadolu Efes 89-82 at the Palau Blaugrana. Dario Brizuela scored 20 points and Kevin Punter added 19, while Olek Balcerowski, Umoja Gibson, and Justin Robinson each finished with 10. Mike James led Efes with 22 points, Dario Saric scored 17 in his return to the EuroLeague, and Matthew Strazel contributed 12.
ASVEL surprises in Paris after summer reconstruction
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was ASVEL. After being forced to rebuild their roster twice during the summer, the French team defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 84-74. NBA veteran Jae Crowder led ASVEL with 19 points, Patty Mills scored 15, Mbaye Ndiaye added 14, and David Lighty finished with 10. Jaylen Hoard scored 15 points for Maccabi, while Yam Madar recorded 13 points and eight assists. Roman Sorkin also scored 13.
The first matchday of the EuroLeague clearly showed that the competition will maintain its level of demand and that matches will be decided in defensive and offensive details at crucial moments. The upcoming games on Friday between Beşiktaş and Valencia, Fenerbahçe and Virtus Bologna, as well as Partizan and Olimpia Milano, will complete the view of how this season begins in the top continental competition.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jornada inaugural de Euroliga: triunfos ajustados y sorpresas
