Galatasaray led the exciting first quarter by 15-13, but the Russian side took the upper hand in the second quarter, leading 36-31 at halftime. CSKA widened the gap by 10 points at the beginning of the third quarter. However, Galatasaray was determined not to give in, and the enthusiastic fans cheered the team back into the game. Halfway through the third quarter, Galatasaray had the upper hand again and never looked back. The İstanbul team led the third quarter 55-54 and wrapped up the game 68-64.
CSKA Moscow, the outright favorite for winning the coveted title, won their last 14 games in the Euroleague and were undefeated going into the game.
With Thursday’s result, Galatasaray claimed its second win in Group E in the round of 16. The İstanbul team currently ranks third in the four-team standings, equal on points with Olympiacos Piraeus in second.
The players celebrated the victory with the fans, staying out on the court for a bit after the game. Galatasaray coach Oktay Mahmuti said his team aimed at and believed in a victory before the game. Mahmuti also praised the fans. “I have been a basketball coach for 23 years, but nowhere but here did I see how basketball fans can empower their team and become one. We walk together,” he said.
The coach said his team is not afraid but acknowledged that they are not the best. “We know our shortcomings,” he said, adding: “But we are not afraid of anybody. We didn’t make any promises at the beginning of the season. We didn’t say we would defeat CSKA Moscow.”
Elsewhere, another Turkish Basketball League (TBL) side, Fenerbahçe Ülker, was defeated by Greek side Panathinaikos 72-62 on the road in their Euroleague Group G encounter on Thursday evening. The result puts Fenerbahçe at the bottom of the group.
