Shar will have to wait for the title: Anadolu Efes, Euroleague champion for the first time / News

Istanbul’s Anadolu Efes won the Euroleague title for the first time in the club’s history. Ergin Ataman’s pupils in the final of the Cologne tournament after a dramatic fight 86:81 (15:22, 24:15, 26:22, 21:23) broke the “Barcelona” trained by Šarūnas Jasikevičius.

The Turkish club did not lie for the fourth time. The crew also reached the four finalists in 2000, 2001 and 2019. In recent years, Anadolu Efes have played the Euroleague final, but have lost it.

In the 2019-2020 season, Anadolu Efes was the best team, but due to the COVID-19 virus the Euroleague championships were suspended.

“We have won two Euroleague titles in a row. I will tell Jordi Bertomeu to give me two cups,” Ataman said with a smile after the final.

Vasilije Micičius became the MVP of the four finalists, as well as the regular season. In the last 35 minutes, the Serbian scored 25 points (6/10 doubles, 2/4 trit., 7/8 penalties), rebounded and took 3 balls, made 5 assists and scored 28 utility points.

After the final, Micičius sang:

“I don’t really care about personal awards. I am very happy to have come to Anadolu Efes, we stayed together, although after the first year everyone asked us about it. We finally show how good we are. Good enough to win the Euroleague. I am proud of the historic title of this club, ”said Micičius.

His teammate Shane Larkin added 21 points (3/5 doubles, 1/4 trit, 12/12 penalties), 2 rebounds and interceptions, 3 assists, 10 provoked fouls and 28 efficiency points.

For the first time in modern Euroleague history, Barcelona lost in the final. The club won titles in 2003 and 2010.

Four minutes before the end of the game, the score was even (72:72), but Larkin and Micic hit extremely hard shots, Chris Singleton added two points and Anadolu Efes took a 5-point lead (79:74).

Cory Higgins noticed the penalties, but 72 seconds later, Vasily Micic responded with two points (81:76).

With 31 seconds to go, Shane Larkin took penalties (83:76), but the intrigue still returned. With 12 seconds to go, Kyle Kuric took three free throws and Barcelona had a chance: the team was just three points away (81:84).

However, Micičius took the penalties and scored a point (86:81).

“If I sleep tonight, it is only with the Euroleague trophy,” said Sertač Shanli after the victory. – I keep trophies and I still can’t believe it. We deserve it. We have a good team and tonight we will celebrate. “

“It’s a wonderful feeling, especially knowing how much hard work, dedication and ups and downs we have put in over the past three years,” said James Anderson. – The fact that we played together for three years was very important, we know everyone well. The atmosphere in our team was great, we never had a problem and we always supported each other. I think it was very important for the victory. “

For the Barça team, Cory Higgins scored 23 points in 30 minutes (2/6 dvit., 4/6 trit., 7/7 penalties), bounced 2 balls and made 1 effective pass.

“This season I have lived with the joy of returning to basketball, the joy of feeling better and better in each game and being able to help the team,” said Pau Gasolis after the game. – It is a pity that we did not win today, because this title is the most important. Today, it just couldn’t have happened. “Anadolu Efes played well, we must congratulate them.”

The match was judged by Lithuanian Gytis Vilius, who had his first four-legged Euroleague final in his career. Before that, Romualdas Brazauskas was the only Lithuanian to judge in the Euroleague final.

“Barcelona”: Cory Higginsas 23 (4/6 trit., 7/7 baud.), Kyle’as Kuričius 18 (2/7 trit., 8/8 baud.), Brandonas Daviesas 17 (6/12 dvit., 11 atk. Kam.), Nikola Mirotičius 11 (3/7 dvit., 1/5 trit., 9 atk. Kam.), Leandro Bolmaro 7 (5 atk. Kam.).

“Anadolu Efes”: Vasilije Micičius 25 (6/10 dvit., 2/4 trit., 7/8 baud., 5 rez. Lost, 3 per. Kam., 5 kld.), Shane’as Larkinas 21 ( 12/12 baud., 28 naud.), Sertačas Šanli 12 (4/8 dvit.).

Pre-match show:

Davies insert: