Fraport Skyliners toppled Openjobmetis Varese 66-62 in the FIBA Europe Cup Final on Sunday to claim their first ever European title.
A sell-out crowd of 4,950 in the French city of Chalon-sur-Saône witnessed an intense Final that saw the German side overturn a 12-point deficit.
Openjobmetis Varese, who count ten international titles in their trophy case, were looking for their first European title since 1980.
FIBA Europe Cup Champion 2016#HardWorkPaysOff #geMAINsam #WAHNSINN pic.twitter.com/NJnKO0Ufa5
— FRAPORT SKYLINERS (@skyliners1999) May 1, 2016
The Italians looked in control for more than 30 minutes before the Skyliners outscored them 28-15 in the final quarter, inspired by a nine-point run by co-captain Quantez Robertson.
The 31-year-old guard finished with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists and was consequently voted as the MVP of the Final Four.
“Being the captain of this team I just came out in the fourth quarter and tried to get some buckets, get the momentum going for us,” Robertson said.
“Going into the fourth we got more aggressive on defence, we rebounded the ball and we settled down on offence. We also made our free-throws in the clutch. We pride ourselves on defence, we are the best defensive team.”
Earlier in the day, host team Elan Chalon blew past Russian Final Four debutants BC Enisey Krasnoyarsk Territory, 103-72, to bow out in front of their fans on a high note and take the bronze medal.
FIBA Europe
