Fenerbahçe Ülker secures Euroleague Top 16 berth with routine win over Kiev

ISTANBUL

Fenerbahçe Ülker remain unbeaten this season in Euroleague for the pleasure of the fans. AA photo

The Zeljko Obradovic version of Fenerbahçe Ülker has already secured a place in the Euroleague Top 16 stage with an 84-68 victory over the Ukrainians of Budivelnik Kiev in Istanbul on Nov. 22. Far more regular and consistent compared to the previous years, the Yellow Canaries sum their sixth victory in sixth games in the so-called “group of death,” with two wins more than last year’s semi-finalists Barcelona and CSKA Moscow. 
 
In control from start to finish against a team which threw off the sponge as early as in the second quarter, Obradovic killed two birds with one stone, resting most of his stars and giving minutes to the benched players.  
 
But the Croatian Bojan Bopgdanovic, who leads the Eurloeague in points, was once again the game’s top scorer, netting 20 points in barely 23 minutes. His Croatian partner in crime Luka Zoric added 15, while Gasper Vidmar clinched 12 points for the hosts. Dainuis Salenga led the visitors with 16 points, while Rick Minard added 14. 
 
In the other group’s other games, CSKA Moscow dismissed JSF Nanterre 72-60 and Barcelona crushed Partizan on the road with 82-64.
 
Anadolu Efes allows big comeback
 
Meanwhile, Anadolu Efes lost their road game against Emporio Armani Milano 77-73, after wasting an 11-point lead during the last quarter. The hosts, who trailed against the Blues during the whole game, built their comeback with a 14-0 run inflicted at the start of the fourth period. 
 
Keith Langford, imperial during the comeback, paced the way for the Italians with 22 points, well-assisted by Alessandro Gentile who added 18 points. Dusko Savanovic was once again the leader of the Istanbul side with 14 points, while Jamon Lucas and Kostas Vasilieiadis added 12 points each.
 
Anadolu Efes dropped to a 3-3 record, leaving the Group B’s second place to their rivals of the day. Real Madrid, unbeaten, stays on top. 
 
On Nov. 22, Galatasaray Liv Hospital edged Montepaschi Siena in Istanbul 54-52 to maintain its second place after title-holders Olympiakos in Group C.