By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
We already have a surprise in the Turkish Cup, since one of the favorites to win the trophy, Anadolu Efes, said goodbye to the competition quite early. The culprit for this upset? No other than Pinar Karsyaka.
Sometimes it is easy to forget that we have to do with the reigning champions here. The team from Izmir indeed played with the know-how of winning big games. Even though Anadolu Efes had the lead in the vast majority of the game, coach Sarica’s players managed to stay in hot pursuit thanks to excellent defense (particularly on Thomas Heurtel who finished the match with only 2 assists) and lots of offensive rebounds (15). With a final push-back, in the fourth quarter, Karsiyaka, first gained the lead, and then the victory which comes along with the qualification to the semis.
In the other quarterfinal game, Fenerbahce made its superiority as clear as possible again Buyukcekmece, having 5 players scoring in double digits.
Turkish Cup Quarterfinals Day 1:
Fenerbahce (Bobby Dixon 14 p. 4 a.) – Buyukcekmece: 89 – 69
Pinar Karsiyaka (Bracey Wright 19 p.) – Anadolu Efes: 67 – 66