Barça 81-86 Anadolu Efes: A brave effort

Barça weren't able to win their third Euroleague and were beaten by Anadolu Efes (81-86). Saras Jasikevicius' side took the lead in the first half, but Anadolu Efes were more successful in the key moments of the match. 

Initial equality

The match started with Barça 0-4 up and showing the intensity with which they wanted to play in the final. Anadolu Efes reacted quickly and the first period ended with the Catalans just ahead.

Barça were soon 10 points up (25-15, min 12), but a mini-collapse saw Anadolu Efes come right back into the game (25-24). An exchange of baskets saw the result at 36-39 by half-time.

Perseverance and struggle

Barça were unable to switch the momentum of the match, with Anadolu's Micic and Larkin in particularly good form. Eleven points ahead after 26 minutes (46-57), two triples from Higgins, and another from Mirotic saw the deficit reduced (58-65).

Decided in the last period

In the last period Barça were just three points behind (62-65, min 32), before a Mirotic basket tied the game (69-69) with 4:56 to play.

The game remained tight at all times, but the Turkish team just did enough and ended up winning the Euroleague 81-86.

Match Details:

Barça, 81
Anadolu Efes, 86

Barça: Calathes (-), Higgins (23), Claver (2), Mirotic (11) and Davies (17) –starters-, Hanga (-), Bolmaro (7), Smits (-), Gasol (1), Abrines (2) and Kuric (18).

Anadolu Efes: Larkin (21), Singleton (4), Sanli (12), Micic (25) and Simon (4) –starters. Beaubois (3), Balbay (-), Moerman (6), Pleiss (5), Anderson (-) and Dunston (6).

Partials: 22-15 / 14-24 / 22-26 / 23-21

Officials Sasa Pukl, Olegs Latisevs and Gytis Vilius.