The Bahçeşehir basketball team is on the cusp of reaching the Eurocup finals after a 74:66 victory over Gran Canaria in the first semi-final match last night in Istanbul.

Starting in the middle of the first quarter, the home team surged ahead with a 13:0 run and maintained the lead until the final whistle. Bahçeşehir showcased dominance in rebounding, amassing an impressive 20 offensive rebounds.

Once again, Marko Simonović shone at the “Sinan Erdem Dom,” much like he did in the quarter-finals against Cedevita-Olimpija. The Montenegrin national player ended the match with 20 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and an index rating of 29.

In the crucial final quarter, Simonović netted 10 of his team’s 12 total points.

“We defended our home court well. We played effectively, particularly in the first half. We had a bit of a dip at the end of the third quarter, but in the end, we secured the victory, which is what matters most. We need to stay focused and rest as much as possible since the next game is on Friday. Our goal is to win the second match and complete the series,” Simonović remarked.

With a solid defensive performance, the Turkish team limited their opponents to only 66 points.

“The most important thing was ensuring we played well enough to win. The opening games in a series are always unique. Our defense was largely commendable, barring the initial minutes, which played a pivotal role in our success. Offensively, there were two distinct halves; the first was superb with 15 assists. We’re now at 1:0 and must prepare for the next game. A big thank you to our fans for their incredible support,” stated coach Dejan Radonjić after the match.

Simonović continued to capture attention.

“This was a team win. While Simonović performed well, others contributed in various ways too. We need to analyze this match and see what unfolds. I hope we can prepare effectively for the away game and secure a win,” Radonjić highlighted.

The series will continue until one team secures two victories, with the second game taking place at Gran Canaria on Friday (21).

In the other semi-final match, Valencia triumphed over Hapoel Tel Aviv with a score of 91:82, taking a 1:0 lead in their series.

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