Barça 88-73 ALBA Berlin: Opening win in Europe

Barça have taken their first win of the season in the Euroleague in their opening home fixture of the competition with a 88-73 win over German side ALBA Berlin. Dario Brizuela notched up 18 points in the Palau for Joan Peñarroya's team in a game that dominated from start to finish. 

Off to a good start 

The blaugranes began the game in spectacular fashion, scoring eight unanswered points against Berlin. However, the German came back into the contest without ever threatening Barça's lead. At the end of the first quarter Peñarroya's team led by three points at 19-16. 

Justin Anderson and then Metu brought the fans in the Palau to their feet, alley-oop included to put Barça seven ahead at 28-21. The blaugranes kept their lead until half time with the score at 43-37, ALBA Berlin managing to keep themselves in the contest though always playing catch up. 

In the second half the blaugranes started sloppily but a three pointer from Laprovittola made it 53-44. However, a run of 10 points unanswered from the Germans saw the visitors take the lead for the first time in the game at 54-53. 

Brizuela's influence 

Abrines and then Brizuela brought the game back into Barça's favour to end the third quarter with the blaugranes ahead at 63-54. Abrines nailed another three pointer to give his side a 12 point lead at 66-54, the largest of the game at that point. 

The home side were eager to avoid complacency even though the game seemed won at 80-69 later in the fourth quarter. Barça sealed an 88-73 win in the end with Brizuela taking his own total to 18 and Punter contributing 14. Next up for Peñarroya's side are Tenerife in the ACB league on Sunday at 6.30pm CEST.

MATCH STATS

Barça: 88
ALBA BerlIn: 73

Barça: Núñez (0), Punter (14), Abrines (9), Parker (8), Vesely (10) - starting five - Anderson (7), Brizuela (18), Metu (9), Satoransky (0), Hernangómez (7), Fall (0), Laprovittola (6).

ALBA Berlín: Hermannsson (13), Spagnolo (7), Olinde (7), Wetzell (7), Williams (8) - starting five - Procida (2), McDowell-White (12), Mattisseck (0), Schneider (3), Koumadje (8), Rapieque (6), Bean (0).