ALBA Berlin 74-70 Barça: Fifth defeat in Europe

The late rally ultimately came up short, as FC Barcelona fell to a second defeat in a row in Europe, losing to ALBA Berlin 74-70. They began well in Germany but a tough third quarter sealed their fate. Laprovittola top scored in the game with 15. 

Promising start

Good defence, a Vesely dunk and two three-pointers in a row saw FC Barcelona start well in Berlin, scoring 0-8. The home side managed to break Roger Grimau's side rhythm and good defence to cut into the lead, but it remained +3 at the end of the first quarter.   

Brizuela, Oscar Da Silva and Vesely all helped Barça get back to scoring in the second, and despite the Germans continuing to score themselves, the blaugranes were winning the rebounds and remained in the lead throughout the rest of the half. Sterling Brown helped the home side stay in touch, with the score 38-41 at halftime. 

Home side hold it down

The blaugranes came out looking less certain in both defence and attack and allowed the Germans to seize the initiative, going to +7 ahead at one point. Barça were finding scoring hard and subsequently went in the final quarter four points down.

The final 10 minutes didn't start well as the home side extended the lead to +8, and the visitors were missing their scoring chances and rebounds. ALBA Berlin pressed on, even going +13 up at one point. However, good defence and points from Vesely saw FC Barcelona take flight again, evening up the points in the quarter, but errors at the end saw Roger Grimau's side ultimately fall short.

That's now the fifth defeat in the EuroLeague this season, but no time to lament, as another game is around the corner away to Zalgiris on 22 December.  

GAME STATS

ALBA Berlin, 74
Barça, 70

ALBA Berlin: Brown (10), Spagnolo (2), Wetzell (10), Thomas (13) and Thiemann (12) - starting five - Delow (5), Koumadje (4), Procida (11), Schneider (5), Mattisseck (2) and Bean (-)
Barça: Vesely (8), Kalinic (8), Satoransky (5), Laprovittola (15) and Jabari Parker (7) - starting five - Brizuela (7), Willy Hernangómez (7), Da Silva (6), Jokubaitis (2), Paulí (2), Joel Parra (3) and Nnaji (-)

Quarters: 19-22; 19-19 // 18-11; 18-18

Referees: Gytis Vilius, Saulius Racys and Guido Giovannetti