Reporting from Istanbul: Antonis Stroggilakis
Fenerbahce will compete in its second straight final thanks to its 84-75 win as they managed to stop Madrid’s game on the open court and Ekpe Udoh dominated the paint. The big man of the hosts flirted with the triple double and ended the game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists and two blocks, having a 35 ranking, the highest ever in a EuroLeague semifinal.
Using a short rotation the team of coach Zeljko Obradovic controlled the tempo and got also a great all around game by Nikola Kalinic who had 12 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Sergio Llull scored 28 points and dished 8 assists, still those numbers were far from enough for Madrid.
Fenerbahce started the game in a furious pace, leading 21-13 after the first period and having a double score (26-13) a little bit later. That was the cue for Real Madrid, which managed to make it a two points game after a 11-0 run (26-24).
Ηοwever with Bogdanovic and Vesely scoring 10 points each, Fenerbahce restored order and had a 10 points half time lead (44-34), while Llull with 19 points was all alone in his effort to keep Madrid alive.
The Spaniards tried to stay close, but Fenerbahce had a 63-50 lead at the end of the third as Udoh and Kalinic toyed with their opponents on both sides of the court. Despite 4/4 threes by Jaycee Carroll who finished the game with 21 points and 5/7 long range bombs. the Spaniards couldn’t turn things around. Real Madrid cut the lead of Fenerbahce to 8 points (68-60) but couldn’t into striking distance until the final buzzer despite pressing at full court in the last two minutes.
Luka Doncic who had a key role for Madrid throughout the season despite being 18 years old, couldn’t score, dished 3 assists and also had 3 turnovers.