The match started with a 0-6 in Barça's favour as Saras Jasikevicius' side dominated the opening exchanges. After a very even first 10 minutes where the challenges were on the physical side and the score went back and forth, a triple by Kuric ensured the Catalans ended the first period level with their hosts (16-16).
Zenit surged ahead in the second period (30-23, min 17), but back came Barça again thanks to Davies' dominance at the basket and Kuric’s triples. A score of 33-34 at the break showed how evenly matched the teams were.
Advantage Barça
A few good minutes for the visitors saw a 10 point gap open up (44-54, min 28), however, some sterling work from the hosts meant there was still all to play for in the final quarter.
Barça were again indebted to Brandon Davies as, in the final minutes with several players on four fouls and neither team pulling ahead, Saras' side were able to employ some excellent game management to see out the win and turn the tie around.
Match Details:
Zenit, 70
Barça, 78
Zenit: Pangos (10), Rivers (8), Hollins (1), Thomas (10) and Black (8) –starters-, Zakharov (-), Baron (19), Khvostov (-), Pushkov (-), Zubkov (-) and Poythress (14).
Barça: Higgins (16), Calathes (7), Abrines (1), Mirotic (11) and Davies (22) –starters-, Hanga (6), Bolmaro (-), Smits (-), Gasol (2), Oriola (-), Martinez (-) and Kuric (13).
Periods: 16-16 / 33-34 / 51-55 / 70-78
Officials: Matej Boltauzer, Tomislav Hordov and Uros Nikolic.
