On Thursday, Barça Regal completed their Top 16 group at the Palau Blaugrana with an incredible 13-1 record. On the day that the Euroleague 2003 champions were honoured, a youngster who was just nine years old when FCB won the continental crown for the first time, Álex Abrines, was the star of the day. The young Mallorcan scored 21 points, while Joe Ingles was also outstanding and took the vital 2 and 3 pointers that clinched the win.
This was by no means an easy night. Until 13-12, Barça Regal had been trailing, but from then on led the rest of the half, with Navarro especially decisive. However, the Israelis sent out all their offensive might in the third period, and with Hickman and Smith on flying form, Barça found themselves falling behind – and weren’t helped by some key refereeing decisions going against them.
But from 44-50 scoreline at the end of the third period, it was soon 74-71, with Álex Abrines showing remarkable maturity with some vital 3-pointers and free throws in the final period. The 19 year old guard ended with a rating of 28 points, his career record in a European fixture.
