Eurocup Final: Khimki crushes Gran Canaria Las Palmas

Game 1 of the Eurocup Final saw Khimki Moscow Region take a huge step to winning the competition this season after a demolition of Herbalife Gran Canaria Las Palmas.

The Russian club put in a huge performance with a 66-91 victory and now has one hand on its second Eurocup trophy. As for Gran Canaria, the Spanish club really has it all to do if it is to win its first ever title in Game 2 of the Eurocup Final.

Khimki’s win is hugely impressive as it came in Gran Canaira’s own court on Friday, handing the club a huge road win to protect. The Final is being held over two games, and with the second being held in Khimki next week, it looks good for the Russians. Especially as any win will do the trick when the aggregate score is tallied up. Indeed, Khimki can even lose, by as much as 24 points, and still win the Eurocup next week.

The final score suggests a blistering win by Khimki, but in fact the game was tight for thirty minutes. The visitors paced to a 19-21 lead through ten minutes, and extended in the second to hold a 33-40 lead at halftime. Gran Canaria improved after the long break and won the third quarter to make it a five point game at the final split (54-59). However, a combination of Khimki’s explosive offence and Gran Canaria collapsing at the back meant the Russians put together a 12-32 run in the fourth act. It was a title winning streak it seems that left the Spanish team almost down and out, barring a sporting miracle in Khimki next week.

Egor Vyaltsev and Petteri Kopenen led the winners with 18 points each, while Stanislav Ilnitskiy scored 17 points and Tyrese Rice logged 13 points.

Kyle Kuric kept the hosts in the game until late with a game high 23 points, while Eulis Baez hit 18 points in the losing effort