In an electrifying showdown at this year’s VTB Super Cup, Fenerbahce narrowly defeated Nizhny Novgorod with a final score of 82-80, clinching third place in the tournament.
The Istanbul-based team managed to bounce back after last night’s loss to Lokomotiv Kuban, but it wasn’t without its moments of tension. Dimitris Itoudis’ squad started the game strongly, jumping to a 12-2 lead, but Zoran Lukic’s Nizhny Novgorod squad clawed their way back into contention.
A similar scenario played out in the second quarter. Once again, Itoudis’ team built a ten-point lead, only to see Nizhny rapidly erase the deficit and come within a single point. However, the “Yellow Canaries” held a slim three-point lead going into halftime.
VTB Süper Kupası Üçüncülük Maçı Sonucu | Fenerbahçe Beko 🆚 Nizhny Novgorod: 82-80
— Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) September 24, 2023
Skor dağılımımız: Motley 22, Guduric 14, Sestina 12, Madar 11, Papagiannis 8, Tarık 5, Sertaç 3, Pierre 3, Calathes 2, Dorsey 2. #YellowLegacy pic.twitter.com/AeHp3iho17
After the break, Fenerbahce once again established a significant lead, but Nizhny Novgorod mounted a comeback. They even briefly took the lead during this period, although it proved short-lived. The game was tied at the end of the third quarter, setting the stage for a thrilling final period.
The teams traded basket for basket, finally breaking the trend where Fenerbahce had enjoyed substantial leads that Nizhny had managed to erase. Fenerbahce managed to secure a five-point advantage, which ultimately proved to be enough. They triumphed with a final score of 82-80, partially erasing the memory of yesterday’s loss to Lokomotiv Kuban.
Jonathan Motley was the standout performer for the blue and yellow, contributing 22 points, while Marko Guduric added 14 to the scoreboard. Bryon Allen stood out for the defeated side with 19 points.
This thrilling contest showcased the competitive spirit of both teams and provided an exciting conclusion to the VTB Super Cup.