Caledonia Gladiators faced a decisive clash against Surne Basket Bilbao, hoping for a victory and favourable outcomes elsewhere in the group to advance in their inaugural European campaign. However, the strong Liga ACB side took the eventual 78-59 victory, knocking Caledonia from the competition.
The opening quarter witnessed staunch defence from both sides. Bilbao capitalized on the Gladiators’ turnovers, establishing a lead. Despite the intense defence, a careless turnover allowed Bilbao to close the period with a dominant 16-8 lead.
Gladiators fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the gap to a single possession at one point. However, Bilbao maintained control, heading into halftime with a 34-26 lead. Lukas Palyza led Gladiators with 11 points.
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Traded baskets defined the third quarter. Gladiators, energized by home support, managed a brief momentum shift with three-pointers. Bilbao responded and closed the quarter with a 54-44 advantage.
Bilbao dominated the final quarter, securing a decisive 78-59 victory and their sixth win out of six. Despite a commendable 3-3 record, the Gladiators exit the FIBA Europe Cup. Coach Gareth Murray praised the team’s effort, acknowledging the challenging competition.
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Reflecting on the game, Coach Gareth Murray and MVP Lukas Palyza expressed pride in the Gladiators’ unexpected achievements, both mentioning that “no one expected us to win a game”. The focus now shifts to the British Basketball League, with a doubleheader against Cheshire Phoenix – get your tickets for the home leg on Friday HERE.