Zalgiris celebrates despite semifinal loss
The Final Four was staged at the Stark Arena in Belgrade and Friday’s semifinal saw Coach Zeljko Obradovic maintain his hopes of winning his 10th title in his home city as Fenerbahce Istanbul overcame Zalgiris, 76-67. Ali Muhammed scored 19 points to lead the winners. Brandon Davies gave it his all with a double-double in defeat for the Lithuanian champs in Zalgiris’s first Final Four appearance in nearly two decades.
The reigning champ was joined in the championship game by Real Madrid, which fought back from a first-quarter double-digit deficit against CSKA Moscow to win 83-92. Luka Doncic and Sergio Llull scored 16 points apiece and Gustavo Ayon added a double-double. Nando De Colo netted 20 un defeat.