Crvena Zvezda achieved a historic victory against Barcelona on Thursday night, breaking through years of frustration with a thrilling 78-74 win at Palau Blaugrana. This marked the first time the Serbian team has ever triumphed on Catalan soil during their years participating in the EuroLeague.
Both teams entered the match with identical records of 9 wins and 8 losses. The last meeting earlier this season resulted in Barcelona edging past Crvena Zvezda 98-94 after overtime. Given this backdrop, the Serbian squad was determined to make their mark, as both teams vied for pivotal points needed for playoff contention.
Barcelona started the match strong, racing to an early 10-0 lead, with Satoranski and Metu proving to be key contributors. Zvezda coach Joanis Sferopulos recognized the challenge, stating, “We respect Barcelona, but right now we have to focus on ourselves.” After settling down, Crvena Zvezda responded with their own surge, going on an 11-0 run to reclaim the lead by the end of the first quarter, finishing at 19-15.
Throughout the match, both teams exhibited fierce defensive strategies, which made scoring increasingly difficult. The second quarter saw the game tighten as Barcelona managed to edge back and take a slight 35-34 lead at halftime. Despite some struggles, Filip Petrušev shined bright for Crvena Zvezda, contributing significantly with 17 points across the match.
The third quarter continued with back-and-forth exchanges, with neither team allowing for substantial breathing room. At the close of the quarter, thanks to Dario Brizuela hitting a stunning shot from half-court, Barcelona led 59-56, leaving Zvezda needing to rally once again.
When the final quarter commenced, Crvena Zvezda seemed re-energized. Jago Dos Santos ignited momentum for the crveno-beli with several key baskets, helping them to regain the advantage. With both teams going toe-to-toe, the stakes heightened during the last two minutes, with each possession drawing gasps from the crowd.
The game's defining moment arrived with just 20 seconds remaining when Dejan Davidovac sank a three-pointer from the corner, propelling Zvezda to a 77-74 lead. Kevin Panter, who had been previously instrumental for Barcelona, gave the ball away, culminating the Catalans' chances as they struggled to regain possession. A late foul on Nemanja Nedović resulted in him making one of two free throws, solidifying the victory for Zvezda.
“This win is monumental for us,” said coach Sferopulos after the game. “We focused on our defense, and it paid off. The sacrifice of limiting player minutes for strategic reasons was worth it. We proved we can compete at this level.”
The game demonstrated not just the physical capabilities of the players but also the mental resilience needed to overcome previous defeats. Nikola Kalinić played captain as always, contributing 12 points, providing the experience needed for this tightly contested battle.
Barcelona, having been reliant on Metu’s 16 points and Panter's earlier efforts, found themselves faltering at the most opportune times. Their second half slumping contributed to Crvena Zvezda's resurgence, which proved untenable for the home team. Panter ended up with just 13 points, failing to score during the final frame, highlighting how much his team relied on him throughout the earlier quarters.
Crvena Zvezda’s triumph not only advances them to 10-8 on the season but also boosts their morale after years of losses to the high-profile Katalonian squad. This victory could be a game-changer for the Serbian team as they move forward, attempting to secure favorable positioning for the playoffs. The victory was not only about the score; it was about taking back control on the EuroLeague stage against one of its perennial powerhouses.
Looking to the future, Zvezda's path becomes clearer, distinguishing them as a formidable competitor. The stakes are high as they prepare for upcoming engagements, but the confidence gained from this match will be invaluable. The players are determined to build upon this success and continue pushing their limits.
With the final buzzer marking the score Barcelona 74, Crvena Zvezda 78, only one thing was certain—the red and white fans were treated to sublime basketball, cementing the night as one for the history books.
