A Fairy Tale Is Over

CSKA finished its 42 games winning streak. The reason is a good play of FC Barcelona that managed to overscore the Army club 79-68.

CSKA vs Barcelona: 68-79

16 points scored by Marcus Brown and 12 added by J.R.Holden were the only double digit records in the game. But the shooting percentage of the both guards are less than anyone could expect (38,5 and 45,5 respectivly).

The shooting percentage in general was one of the main reasons for CSKA to loose. Although the game started in a right was for the hosts (9-0 in the beginning of the fist quarter). CSKA could not go on the same way and lost control on the game as in the second quarter Barcelona put a zone defence that seemed to be a very hard task for the rival. The last time CSKA was ahead happened to be in the beginning of the second half – 41-40 after J.R.Holden 3-pointer.

In the last quarter CSKA did its best in the run for another victory. At first Sergey Monya 4 points in a row and a great assist to Marcus Brown held down Barcelona a bit – the score changed from 50-63 to 56-63. As all the other players started to take part in the run, the gap started to melt. But CSKA effort was not enough to overcome Barcelona tonight. The maximum was reached with 1.38 to go – Theodoros Papaloukas scored from the middle distance – 68-71. Since this moment CSKA could do nothing but watch the rival winning the game – all the Army club attacks were useless.

Barcelona head coach Manuel Flores:

- It was a very hard game against a strong opponent. And it was an impressive historical win. CSKA did not lose any games this season yet. In the second quarter we were not scared anymore, we changed our game in defense and could win.

CSKA head coach Dusan Ivkovic:

- Barcelona today was a better team and they absolutely deserved this victory. If you score only 35% of field goals, you cannot beat any team. We controlled the game only for one quarter. We did not play in our rhythm, we played at Barcelona's rhythm. I want to thank my players, they tried, but it was too late. We need to learn the right lessons from this game. CSKA has great character and we need to show it immediately. I think that we are on the right road and maybe it was a loss at the right moment.