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Photo: Imago Images / Scanpix
Photo Imago / Scanpix Images
Pau Gasolis played the best game of his season when his team needed him most. Inspired by a 41-year-old veteran, Barcelona moved up to the top four of the Euroleague in a decisive battle.
| Man of the match | |
|
EFF sixteen |
|
Pau Gasol |
|
|
Points |
7 |
|
Precision |
3-4 |
|
Bounces |
3 |
|
Effective transfers |
0 |
Šarūnas Jasikevičius students at home 79:53 (23:14, 20:16, 14: 9, 22:14) defeated the Zenit St. Petersburg basketball players and won the series 3-2.
In the semifinals, Barça will raise their arms with the Milan Armani Exchange.
“We set the tone from the first moments of the match, we were very serious on defense. There was a bit of patience in attack, but it helped that some players showed a good and calm game and took us to the advantage,” said Jasikevičius after the winning series.
The Catalans made it to the last four after a 7-year hiatus: Barcelona haven’t been among the top 4 teams in the league since Shar played professional basketball in 2014.
According to the Lithuanian, the Catalan club should be much more followed in competitions of this magnitude.
“The players must understand how difficult it is to reach the final four, but at the same time, a club like Barça needs to be here more times. We try to do that, build something. Hopefully we are among the 4 strongest teams in the Euroleague for many years in a row, ”said the strategist.
Sharing the water after the victory:
Gasolis, who was the most useful player on his team, scored 7 points (3/4 dvit., 1/1 penalty) in 17 minutes, bounced and took 3 balls, blocked the opponent’s shot 4 times, caused 2 fouls and I note. 16 utility points.
After the victory, Gasolis remained restrained and stressed that the team must always remain focused.
“We have to understand that only one of our games can bring victories. Each game will now be a final, we have to bring the same attitude to the semifinals, defend well, give tone to the game, – said the Barça forward. While we looked good in the first half, we stretched out even more in the second half, opened up opponents, appreciated the ball, and also kept up the intensity. It is impossible to win without these things. “
Asked about his good performance, the veteran was glad to have had some time to improve his form.
“This match was a great step forward for me as a player. I had 2 good weeks of training and I want to continue improving my form so that I can help the team even more and maintain the game that I showed today ”, concluded Gasolis.
The culés managed to stop Kevin Pangas, the leader of Zenit, who had shone throughout the series. The former Žalgiris player scored 7 points (2/7 dvit., 1/5 trit.) In 31 minutes, he bounced 3 and lost 4 balls, made 10 assists and scored 7 utility points.
The match was started from the beginning by the hosts, who accelerated 12: 5 and after Brandon Davies 4 points in a row they gained a 9-point lead (23:14).
In the second quarter, Barça did not waste the initiative, with 13: 4 in the first half and Gasolis (36:20), who was second in the Spanish standings 20 minutes later (11).
However, for the remainder of the second half, the hosts failed to break Zenit once, the Russians held out and were down 13 points after 2 halves (30:43).
After the break, the Catalans broke the game: Gasolis dominated the defense, Calathes scored 7 points in the fourth and Barcos’ 12-0 split gave him a 23-point lead (57:34).
In the fourth quarter, Shar’s army maintained the lead, Davies and Cory Higgins replaced veterans Gasol and Calathes, and the hosts made sure to advance to the final four.
Barcelona: Cory Higgins 15 (3/7 double, 6/6 penalty, 5 bl.), Nick Calathes 12 (2/2 trip, 5 res.), Brandon Davies (5/9 double), 8 sec.) And Kyle Kuričius (3/5 trit.) After the 11th, Nikola Mirotičius, Adam Hanga, Leandro Bolmaro (5 rep.) And Pau Gasolis (3 per. 7.
Zenith: Alex Poythress 11 (5/11 d., 5 reb.), Billy Baronas 9 (2/7 trit.), Kevin Pangos (2/7 d., 1/5 trit., 10 rez. Trans., 4 vol.) and Will Thomas (3 percent) after 7.
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