The year 2025 got off to a perfect start for the Barça basketball team as they recorded a vital 90-79 win over Paris Basketball in the Euroleague. After defeats in their last two games in the competition against Bologna and Crvena Zvezda, Joan Peñarroya's team claimed a win after controlling the contest in the French capital from the first quarter.
Willy Hernangómez scored 23 points, well supported by Metu (13) and Satoransky (12), to lead the blaugranes to victory number 10 in this season's Euroleague.
Slowly but surely
The game started with the sides on an equal footing, Paris having a slight lead at 13-12 after 5 minutes. Willy Hernangómez helped Barça offense into gear with five points as Peñarroya's team came back to lead 25-19 at the start of the second quarter.
After taking a nine point lead at 30-21, the blaugranes' scoring slowed a little in the second period and Paris reacted in front of the home crowd to cut the lead to 40-36 at half time.
Onwards to victory
Barça reinforced their advantage after the break with their excellent shooting from the three point line. After 25 minutes the blaugranes led 56-42 and on the half hour mark the lead was still 10 points at 65-55. The start of the final quarter saw Metu score 7 points to restore their lead to 14 at 73-59.
There was a moment of worry for Barça when Paris came to within four points at 78-74 with five minutes left. However, a three pointer from Abrines and contributions from Hernangómez and Satoranksy closed out a valuable victory at 90-79.
MATCH STATS
PARIS BASKETBALL, 79
BARÇA, 90
París: Shorts, Ward, Hayes, Jantunen, Ouattara -starting five- Malcolm, Hifi, Cavaliere, Sy, Kratzer, Lo.
Barça: Satoransky, Punter, Abrines, Parker, Fall -starting five- Anderson, Brizuela, Metu, Hernangomez, Núñez.
