Barca started the game well, winning 2-10 in the first 4 minutes thanks to two clever triples from Higgins and Abrines. The lead extended to 10 points (9-19), but seven unanswered problems for the locals, culminating in a three-pointer from former blue-blue player Pangos, saw the first quarter finish 16-19.
The moment of the fourth was a constant exchange of baskets, without any team being able to completely dominate. At half-time, Barca continues on from 3 (35-38).
The trend continued in the 3rd quarter with Barca still in the lead but without being able to put distance between them and zenit. Only one point separated them in the last quarter (54-55).
Barca paid for his lack of fortune in the basket in the last 10 minutes, with the Russian striker for the first time. There was still much to play to reach the last few minutes, however, Barca could not with the mandatory issues and suffered a bitter defeat in the first European home match of the season.
Zenit, Barca, 70
Zenit: Pangos (15), Fridzon (-), Rivers (11), Will Thomas (10), Poythreess (16) – initiators. Zakharov (-), Volkhin (-), Baron (16), Zubkov (2), Ponitka (4) . Barca: Calathes (9), Higgins (7), Abrines (11), Mirotic (14), Oriola (- ) -initiators-. Davies (8), Hanga (2), Bolmaro (2), Smits (7), Heurtel (2), Claver (8). Distribution: 16-19 / 35-38 / 54-55 / 74-70 Officers: Sreten Radovic and Artem Lavrukhin