By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
FC Barcelona edged UNICS Kazan in overtime Wednesday. The Catalan powerhouse rallied from 20 points down for the biggest comeback in team history and also matched the EuroLeague record for most free throws scored in a single game, 42.
Nikola Mirotic sank 13/13 from the charity stripe before fouling out. Kyle Kuric also went in double-digits with ten made free throws but was responsible for one of the two failings as Barca ended up with 42/44. The other missed attempt was laid on Sertac Sanli making 3/4.
The 42 free throws in a single game actually happened for the fourth time in the history of Europe’s premier club continental competition. The two most recent showings were not enough to secure the win though.
Skipper Fortitudo Bologna – Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv 104-111
Another game stretching to 45 minutes set the initial record. Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv made 42/50 free throws to defeat Skipper Fortitudo Bologna in overtime on November 27, 2003. Three-time EuroLeague champion and two-time EuroLeague MVP, Anthony Parker connected 11/13.
Union Olimpija – Cibona 92-88
In December 2006, Cibona become the first team to tie the record but failed to earn the win on the road versus Union Olimpija. Davor Kus then matched the record for free throws made without a miss with 17/17, set by Andrija Zizic the previous season. Mirotic went for 18/18 as a member of Real Madrid in 2012-13 to surpass both Kus and Zizic.
Panathinaikos – Partizan 80-93
The most recent team banking in 42 free throws was Panathinaikos in a loss to Partizan during the 2006-07 Regular Season. The team then coached by Zeljko Obradovic was awarded a total of 53 free throws but missed the target in 11 attempts. Tony Delk had 11/12 to his name.