Dubai Basketball 94-87 FC Barcelona: Honourable defeat
The Barça basketball team suffered their first EuroLeague defeat of the season, going down a 94-87 defeat to Dubai in their second game of the regular season in the competition. Despite trailing by as many as 20 points, Aleksander Sekulic's side produced a spirited comeback before ultimately coming up short.
Good start but home side bounce back
Barça started brightly, racing into an 8-2 lead behind early three-pointers from Joel Parra and Kevin Punter, and finished the opening quarter ahead 25-23. However, the game swung dramatically in the second period when Dubai unleashed a damaging 12-0 run, taking control of the contest and heading into half time with a commanding 52-37 advantage.
Third quarter chasing game
The blaugranes showed greater urgency after the break, with Punter once again leading the charge, supported by Olivier Nkamhoua and Umoja Gibson. However, Barça struggled to contain Mfiondu Kabengele, who proved highly effective on offense as Dubai maintained a comfortable lead throughout the third quarter.
A late surge gave Barça hope of an unlikely comeback. Inspired by captain Kevin Punter, the visitors cut the deficit to single digits and forced Dubai coach Xavi Pascual into a timeout. Nevertheless, a series of missed open three-pointers prevented Barça from getting any closer, and Dubai held firm to secure a 94-87 win.
Despite the defeat, Barça's resilience in the final quarter offered encouragement as they now turn their attention to their next EuroLeague challenge: an away trip to Beşiktaş in Istanbul.
Los culers han logrado, como en el primer cuarto, igualar el ritmo ofensivo, pero no ha podido elevar el listón defensivo para frenar a un Kabengele en modo tirador, y Blossomgame ha puesto una máxima (76-56) que se ha podido reducir al final del tercer periodo (76-62). El Coca-Cola Arena ya esperaba una victoria plácida, pero ni mucho menos.
MATCH STATS
Dubai: 94
Barça: 87
Dubai: Okobo (9), Bacon (14), Kabengele (21), Blossomgame (10), Wright (14) - starting five - Mintz (3), Bertans (3), Kondic (-), Diakite (7), Shengelia (4), Petrusev (4), Walkup (5).
Barça: Robinson (7), Punter (25), Minaya (0), Parra (8), Balcerowski (10) - starting five - Gibson (12), Maritn (9), Umude (8), Brizuela (0), Ubal (-), Nkamhoua (8), Núñez (-).
Quarters: 23-25, 29-12, 24-25, 18-25.