By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Barcelona is having a great start to the 2023/24 EuroLeague season. After defeating Anadolu Efes, Olympiacos, and Partizan, Roger Grimau’s side crushed Bayern Munich at Palau Blaugrana, winning with an astonishing 98-59 final score.
Jabari Parker was the top scorer of the winning side with 15 points, Jan Vesely added 14, while Willy Hernangomez and James Nnaji also finished in double digits, scoring 11 and 10 points.
“We have played a great defense, we are doing better every day. In the preseason we had ups and downs, we were getting to know each other. Coach is very intelligent and he is giving us a balance with freedom and confidence,” Vesely said, giving credit to coach Grimau.
For Bayern only Serge Ibaka was up to the task with 13 points and eight rebounds.
“I’d rather lose a day by 40 than 40 games by one. This has probably been our worst day in terms of effort, attitude and concentration , but the Euroleague has just started. Here you can’t get lost because they overtake you. Today was a great lesson for us,” Bayern’s coach Pablo Laso said about the heavy defeat.
Barcelona opened with a 27-11 lead in the first ten minutes. Bayern managed to respond in the second period but failed to narrow the deficit. The hosts pushed even harder after the break, quickly extending their lead to 52-32. By the end of the third quarter, they held an insurmountable 70-40 advantage. Bayern couldn’t keep up, and they couldn’t even make the defeat more bearable, as Barcelona’s lead extended to over 40 points in the final 10 minutes.
“We have done a very good defensive job and we have had a good offensive rhythm, everyone has been very good, everyone has added. I am happy, but we have only just started, they know me better now and I know them more, but this does not stop, we must continue,” Grimau said after the win.
After four rounds Barcelona is perfect and at the top of the EuroLeague standings, while Bayern fell to 2-2. Catalan side will now face Real Madird in Round 5 El Clasico at Spanish capital, while Bayern will host Fenerbahce.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague