Valencia and ALBA Berlin swept their respective series (2-0) and will now face each other in the EuroCup Finals.
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Valencia became the first team that defeated UNICS Kazan at home (73-79) and qualified to the EuroCup Finals for a record sixth time. This was the 14th straight win for the Spaniards in the competition.
In a close game in Russia (36-39, 52-49), the visitors went on an 1-13 run and never looked back. They took an eight-point lead (54-62) and sealed the deal.
Matt Thomas and Sam Van Rossom led the winners, with 15 points apiece. On the other hand, four players scored in double figures for the winners, as Errick McCollum had a team-high 13 points.
ALBA Berlin endured Andorra’s late rally and beat the Spaniards for a second straight time (81-87).
The Germans secured their place to the Finals for the first time since 2010, while they became the first team that prevails over Andorra at home.
ALBA closed the first half in front by nine (42-51), but the hosts reacted and went on a 12-2 run to take the lead (54-53). The visitors, though, stepped up and turned things around, behind an 11-28 run of their own (65-81).
But, Andorra again fought back and cut the deficit to three (80-83), yet ALBA made some big shots and sealed the deal.
Peyton Siva and Rokas Giedraitis were the best players of the winners, with 21 and 14 points, respectively. On the other hand, Andrew Albicy (20 points) and Jerome Jordan (17 points) stood out for the losing squad.
The 2019 EuroCup Finals between Valencia and ALBA will be a rematch from the 2010 series. This time, though, it will be a best-of-three format in which Valencia has the home-court advantage, starting with Game 1 on Tuesday, April 9.
*Yiannis Bouranis is an affiliate partner of ESPN and is being compensated for the use of ESPN+ affiliate links. The opinions expressed in his posts are his own.
