Crvena zvezda 76-85 Barça: Show of strength in Belgrade

The blaugranes failed to be intimidated by the famous atmosphere in the Stark Arena in Belgrade with Barça registering an impressive 85-76 win over Crvena zvezda. Darío Brizuela scored 6/7 in three pointers to help Roger Grimau's team into second place in the table in the Euroleague. 

Even first quarter 

Barça began brightly in Serbia, matching the home side's intensity and taking a 17-10 lead before Crvena zvezda called a time out to stem the flow of blaugrana points. 

The Serbians regrouped on the restart and bounced back to come within a point at 18-17. Nevertheless, an impressive Darío Brizuela reeled off four successive three pointers to send Barça back in front and at half time the blaugranes led by 45-32. 

In the third period Barça stretched their lead to 18 points at one stage with Brizuela carrying on his excellent shooting from the perimeter. Crvena zvezda fought back to come within 10 points at the start of the final quarter and a packed crowd in the Stark Arena started to believe in a comeback.

Cool heads to take the win

A three pointer from Jokubaitis helped quieten the Serbian fans and the blaugranes were soon 17 points up once more. Brizuela scored a sixth three pointer and Laprovittola notched up eight points in a row to close out a vital win for Grimau's team and end a run of three successive defeats on the road in the Euroleague. 

MATCH STATS

Crvena zvezda: 76
Barça: 85

Crvena zvezda: Dos Santos (13), Davidovac (0), Lazic (0), Giedraitis (6), Bolomboy (12) - starting five - Smart (7), Teodosic (0), Hanga (2), Mitrovic (4), Tobey (9), Nedovic (21), Gillespie (12).

Barça: Laprovittola (12), Satoransky (6), Kalinic (6), Parker (9), Vesely (16) - starting five - Da Silva (1), Paulí (0). Brizuela (20), Hernangómez (6), Nnaji (0), Jokubaitis (9), Parra (0).