By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Aliaga Petkimspor was tested in the Basketball Champions League qualifiers and the outcome was expected in Group B of the regular season when a Turkish team faces one from Poland.
The final score was 85-70 as the guests opened the game with more than a double score in the first period (34-16) and never looked back.
Wesley Van Beck with 19 points led the winners who had a glorified practice in Poland.
Shooting guard Przemyslaw Zolnierewicz also scored 19 points for the home side, however, he didn’t have the same support, nor could affect the outcome of a one-sided affair
Three games in four days
Petkimspor coach Burak Goren explained why his opponents were not themselves: “First of all, I want to talk about our opponent King Szczecin. Before this match, they played three games in four days, so this was a huge advantage for us. It is very difficult to play three matches in such a short time at the beginning of the season. Despite this, they fought as hard as they could today, so I congratulate our opponent”.
As for his team, he added: “Secondly, I am really proud of my club because this is a historic moment for us. We are competing in European cups for the first time in the club’s history. Eight days ago, we did an incredible job in the BCL qualifiers in Antalya. We played three qualifiers in five days and won them all, so we deserved to make it to the groups”.
Postgame press conference