#BasketballClassics #Euroleague #FCBarcelona #BenettonTreviso
Date: May 11, 2003. Venue: Palau Sant Jordi (Barcelona). Attendance: 16670
Game report and boxscore: www.euroleague.net/main/result...
A city that waited decades for this moment erupted in celebration on Sunday night as FC Barcelona seized the Euroleague 2002-03 crown at home with a brilliant 76-65 victory over Benetton Treviso. Almost 20 years after the first of five previous losing attempts in the final game, Barcelona got it right Sunday, taking over in the second quarter and slapping down Benetton's only solid comeback attempt in the third. Once againd, Dejan Bodiroga was voted MVP for leading the champions with 20 points. A trio of three-pointers midway through the final quarter - from Sarunas Jasikevicius, Juan Carlos Navarro and Bodiroga - broke open a three-point game to give Barca an 11-point lead with 90 seconds left. Those seconds were enjoyed with euphoria by the Barca fans who had lived through so many disappointments in the final game before. Tonight, at last, was their night. The ghosts are gone for good. Barcelona is Europe's best.
Barcelona did it all, shooting well throughout the game, defending so well as to hold Benetton to 9 points in the pivotal second quarter, and absolutely dominating in rebounds, 37-27 at game's end. It was a classic team effort. Gregor Fucka added 17 points despite foul trouble. Rodrigo De la Fuente scored 11 and had 8 rebounds. Patrick Femerling came off the bench for 9 points. Benetton had trouble shooting all night, making only 4 of 25 three-pointers and finding Barca's front wall every time it drove inside. Tyus Edney had 16 points to lead Benetton. Massimo Bulleri added 11 and Denis Marconato 10.
Twitter: / meloncesto
Diarios de la Final Four (PODCAST): www.ivoox.com/podcast-diarios...