The road to the 2016 Eurocup Finals is coming to the end. Less than a week after the end of the Eurocup quarterfinal series, the stage is set for the first leg of the home-and-away semifinals. With one clash on Tuesday and one on Wednesday, get ready for the excitement and drama.
Semifinal A: Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul 89-75 Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas
In front of 10,383 passionate fans at Abdi Ipekci Arena, Galatasaray Odeabank Istanbul beat Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas 89-75 to take control of their series. Chuck Davis amassed 18 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and Errick McCollum also scored 18 for Galatasaray. The game was close for much of the first half, but the hosts pushed ahead by 7 at halftime and used a 12-2 charge early in the third quarter to pull away for good. The difference reached 19 on multiple occasions before Gran Canaria fought back in the fourth to get within 10, but the hosts scored the final two baskets of the game. Galatasaray dominated inside by outrebounding the visitors 43-34 and making 68.2% of their two-point shots. Alen Omic paced Gran Canaria with 15 points in defeat.
Semifinal B: Strasbourg 68-74 Dolomiti Energia Trento
In the semifinals opener on Tuesday, Dolomiti Energia Trento defeated Strasbourg 68-74 in a game it led from tap to buzzer. A Game 2 victory – or a loss by fewer than 6 points – next week in Italy would make Trento the first Italian side to ever play for the Eurocup crown and the first team to ever reach the Eurocup Finals in its first season in continental competition. The game featured an eventful first half with Trento dominating early and leading by 20 points early in the second quarter before Bangaly Fofana led the home team on a 17-0 charge to get back in the game. Trento led 37-40 at halftime and protected its slim lead throughout the second half. Julian Wright led the winners with 16 points on 3-of-3 three-point shooting, 7 rebounds and 2 steals; Trent Lockett scored 14 points and Davide Pascolo totaled 13 points, 7 boards and 5 assists. Fofana posted 15 points and 10 rebounds in defeat.
Eurocup
