Obradovic’s Fenerbahçe Ülker stuns CSKA Moscow with 86-60 victory

ISTANBUL

Fenerbahçe head coach Zeljko Obradovic (C) reacts during the Euroleague basketball match between Fenerbahçe Ülker and CSKA Moscow, in Istanbul, Oct. 31. AFP photo

Fenerbahçe Ülker confirmed its Euroleague ambitions by crushing the Russian powerhouse 86-60 at their home court of Ülker Arena, only a week after having defeated fellow title-contenders Barcelona.

The Yellow Canaries dominated their rivals throughout the game, not letting them a comeback in any quarter. Croatian forward Bojan Bogdanovic leaded the Istanbul side with 23 points, well-assisted by playmaker Bo McCalebb who netted 14 points. Emir Preldzic added 13 and star recruit Linaz Kleiza chipped 12 points for Fenerbahçe.

The visitors’ calvary was embodied by the disastrous game of its Serbian star playmaker Milos Teodosic, who failed to open its tally during the whole game and finished with only 6 assists and 2 rebounds. Vladimir Micov with 20 points and Kyle Hines with 17 points kept CSKA Moscow away from a more embarrassing result.

The alchemy supplied by the “magician” coach Zeljko Obradovic, who has eight Euroleague titles including five with Panathinaikos, seems to be spot on as Fenerbahçe is leading Group A in solitary with three double-digit wins in three games. CSKA Moscow is second and drops to the second place of the group. The Yellow Canaries will travel to Belgrade next week to play against Partizan, where Obradovic spend his almost entire career as a player.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray Liv hospital was severely defeated 84-57 in their visit to Unicaja Malaga. Deprived of its Australian big man Nathan Jawai as well as its playmaker Ender Aslan, the Istanbul side managed to match their rivals during the entire first half and even entered to the break with a point lead 41-42.

However Galatasaray collapsed in the second half with Nik Caner-Medley and Zoran Dragic leading the way for Malaga. The Andalusians capped their comeback with a 14-0 run in the last quarter to move to 2-1 in the Group C. Galatasaray meanwhile dropped to 1-2 before their visit to the group’s minnows Stelmet Zielona Gora next week. 

Caner-Medley netted 16 points, while Earl Calloway tallied 13 points and 5 assists for Malaga. Two players had double-doubles for Galatasaray in the defeat: Jamont Gordon with 12 points and 10 assists and Pops Mensah-Bonsu with 10 points and 11 rebounds.    

Elsewhere newcomers Nanterre shocked Barcelona beating the Catalans in their home court 67-71. Budivelnik Kiev defeated Partizan 74-69, Zalgiris Kaunas knocked out Strasbourg 88-64 and defending champions Olympiakos edged Germans of Bayern Munich 88-83.