The first game of the FIBA Europe League in Kazan proved to be spectacular and very interesting and aroused a lot of emotion from the spectators. As usually happens when a Turkish team plays in Kazan, a lot of Turkish supporters came with their team and the local General Consul of Turkey also attended.
The first game is always tough. At the start both teams were nervous, causing many mistakes from both sides. The guests were the first to overcome their nerves and after 2 3-pointers from Salyers and Basak led 8-4. Fenerbahce built a very good defense which was hard to destroy.
The appearance oncourt of Zozouline, Samoilenko and Anstey made UNICS's game stronger but the quarter was finished with the visitors ahead lead 18-14. The tight game continued in the second period quarter UNICS pulled back piece by piece 16-18, 19-21, 20-22, 25-27, 27-27 but anyhow, the Fenerbahce were still able to hold onto the advantage.
It looked that as in previous games UNICS would take a lead but it did not happen. Williams kept hitting his 3-pointers, but the Turks always had an answer in the form of Mrsic and twice Salyers.
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Damir Mrsic (#12, Fenerbahce)
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At the middle of the 3rd quarter Fenerbahce was in a lead by 10 points 45-35. Two 3-pointers from Shammond Williams and successful 2 pointer from Kambala made the gap minimal 43-45 but at the end of 30 minutes the Turkish team was still leading 55-48.
UNICS looked like they had no chance during the 4 quarter (after 35 minutes down 58-68), but with the help of Clark and Miloserdov and especially some great basketball from Williams, UNICS pushed the game into overtime. UNICS missed 1 shot in the entire extra period and finished with a wonderful win. The hero of match was Shammond Williams.
