Unahotels sinks Petkimspor and reaches Fiba Champions League quarterfinals

Reggio Emilia, March 25, 2025 – A concrete Unahotels Petkimspor of Smirne beats at PalaBigi and conquers, with full merit, Fiba Quarterfinals Champions League. The red and white team won the match thanks to the team, which showed excellent defensive quality and good readings in attack, finding a protagonist for each period of the game. Starting with Grant, finally effective, in the first quarter with, to follow, a toned and precise Smith in the second, Cheatham in the third, author of a very valid flash, before the contest was closed, in the last 10', by the effectiveness of Barford's shooting, seasoned with grit and physicality.

In the playoff that will qualify the winners (best of 2 victories with game 1 at the home of the first classified team of each Top 16 group) at the Final Four of the competition, Reggio will challenge one of Unicaja Malaga, Aek Athens (already winners of their group) and the first placed team of group L, which will see its decisive matches played tomorrow night. In the first quarter, Priftis's troops start with determination, but too much confusion in attack and many uncertainties in the defense allow Petkim to remain glued to their opponents. An excellent Grant, however, gives his team a fine end to the fraction, which also yields a small loot.

In the second period Smirne takes the initiative, with the physicality of Echenique and the “verve” of Tyree. However, when, at home, Reggio, Smith steps onto the stage, for the Turks it's a pain. The "surgeon" scores some very valuable baskets and contains the guests' forcing, allowing the red and whites to lead, albeit with a small margin, the match even at the end of the second quarter. On the return leg from the long interval, on the Cheatham-Smith axis Reggio tries to escape, even touching +11. However, it fails to deliver the knockout blow and Petkimspor comes closer. Before suffering something at the end of the period, which sees Unahotels still ahead by 9 points. In the last quarter, however, the difference in technical caliber between the two teams emerges, already highlighted in the first leg. Winston raises the tone of his performance, Barford scores continuously and the Turks have neither the physical nor the technical strength to come back. Reggio then closes the match in control.

The little table

UNAHOTELS: Barford 15, Winston 14, Faye 4, Gombauld 2, Smith 12, Uglietti 1, Vitali 6, Faried 6, Grant 7, Chillo, Cheatham 10. Ne: Gallo. All.: Priftis.

PETKIM: Dotson 9, Van Beck 14, Russell 3, Williams 7, Tyree 11, Sav 4, Gultekin1, Aldridge 5, Echenique 16. Ne: Efeoglu, Senkahya and Cevahir. All.: Goren.

Referees: Ademir Zurapovic (Bos), Petar Pesic (Srb), Juozas Barkauskas (Lit) Partials: 21-16, 41-40, 63-54,

Notes: spectators: 2414; 3-pointers: Unahotels 9/25, Petkim 10/27; free throws: Reggio Emilia 14/16, Smirne 16/25. Rebounds: 37-38.