Galatasaray crowned Eurocup champs

The 2015/2016 Eurocup season has been completed and there is a new champions in the form of Galatasaray Istanbul. The Turkish team overcame Strasbourg of France in leg 2 of their Finals series in Istanbul, using a stunning first quarter to ride to victory and the 2015/2016 Eurocup title.

In victory, Galatasaray breaks a continental duck that has gone on for over a century as this became the clubs’ first ever European level title. Indeed, the club had not even made the semi-finals since 2008, but this season the stars align and Galatasaray is celebrating this evening. In the long Eurocup season, Galatasaray has been consistently good and occasionally excellent, and the team managed to echo that trend in the decider.

It was not an easy task against a Strasbourg team that won the first leg 66-62 and was more than capable of riding the inevitable rally from Galatasaray in Turkey. For its part the French team almost lived up to the bargain, providing the hosts with a test throughout this game. However, in front of the roaring Istanbul contingent, Galatasaray edged the final.

Galatasaray Istanbul vs. Strasbourg, 78-67 (140-133)
The home team was sensational in the first quarter, starting on fire and streaming in 27 points during the ten minutes. Galatasaray was just as potent at the other end, conceding just 16 points for an 11 points advantage at the first split. In the second quarter Strasbourg started what would be a long comeback that ultimately proved fruitless. The visitors took the second 16-19 to make it 43-35 through the long break.

Strasbourg managed to hold the momentum through a tight third act, edging the home team 18-19 to make back another points. Through thirty minutes on the hardwood, the scoreboard read 61-54 in Galatasaray’s favour. After winning the middle periods, Strasbourg was poised to rally in the fourth stanza, but instead Galatasaray regained its touch and won the Eurocup with a 17-13 winning frame.

Errick McCollum and Stephane Lasme logged 16 points each from Galatasaray, while Lasme made it a double-double by adding 10 rebounds to his haul. Sinan Guler picked up 14 points, 8 boards, and 6 assists in victory, followed by Blake Schlib with 11 points and 5 rebounds.

Mardy Collins paced Strasbourg with 16 points and 5 caroms, while Louis Campbell provided 10 points in the losing effort.