EC: Defeats for Budućnost, MZT and Olimpija

All three of the ABA League representatives in the EuroCup this season were defeated in the ninth round against exceptionally strong opponents. Budućnost lost to Zenit St.Petersburg, MZT to Nizhny Novgorod and Olimpija to Valencia.

In Group A, MZT Skopje Aerodrom hosted Nizhny Novgorod and as it turned out, the Skopje side did not have many chances of coming up with an upset this time around, as they did not lead at a single point during the game. As soon as the 7th minute, the advantage of the guests reached the double digits (19:8) and Nizhny did no allow the home side to cut it to a single digit anymore until the end of the game. The final score was 97:82 in favour of the Russian side and Jure Lalić was the top scorer for MZT with 23 points, while his teammate Charlon Kloof had 15.

Budućnost VOLI were close to grabbing a victory at home court in Morača Hall against Zenit St.Petersburg, but they were unsuccessful in the end by only 2 points of margin. The final score was 97:95 in favour of Russians, but it would not be unfair if coincidentally Budućnost VOLI won the game in the end. Sead Šehović and Petar Popović (both 12 points) were the top scorers of the Podgorica squad this time around.

In Group D, Olimpija Ljubljana hosted Valencia Basket at home in Stožice Arena and unlike many expectations, the clash of the two former EuroLeague sides turned out to be an exciting one all until the end, when Gregor Hrovat scored the three pointer in the dying moments, to tie the game to 75:75, but it turned out that he was just a bit too late, so the basket did not count and did not take his squad into overtime. The final score was 75:72 for Valencia. Gregor Hrovat topped the scoresheet for Olimpija with 18 points, Devin Oliver added another 12.

Eurocup Regular Season, Round 9, Group A, Wednesday, 7.12.2016:

MZT Skopje Aerodrom – NIZHNY NOVGOROD 82:97 (12:26, 22:26, 29:28, 19:17)
Lalić 23, Kloof 15; Kane 22, Boynton and Zubčić 12.

STANDINGS:

Group C, Wednesday, 7.12.2016:

Budućnost VOLI – ZENIT ST.PETERSBURG 95:97 (23:22, 23:23, 24:26, 25:26)
Sead Šehović and Popović 12; Toolson 32, Landry 15.

STANDINGS:

Group D, Wednesday, 7.12.2016:

Olimpija Ljubljana - VALENCIA 72:75 (16:28, 21:11, 15:25, 20:11)
Hrovat 18, Oliver 12; Oriola 20, Thomas 11.

STANDINGS: