Barcelona subdues Valencia Basket in Euroliga
FC Barcelona beat Valencia Basket 108-102 in a thrilling third-jornada Euroliga match, driven by standout performances from Tomas Satoransky and Kevin Punter. The Catalan side needed two games in five days to overcome a rival that had started the season with five wins and a title. The matchup was an offensive spectacle full of momentum shifts.
Barcelona needed two games in five days to subdue Valencia Basket, which had made waves early in the season with five wins and a title across three competitions. The teams engaged in a beautiful battle, full of momentum shifts and overflowing with points, both exceeding 100 (108-102). They spared no effort, drawing the best from their arsenals.
Kevin Punter (27 points) was decisive in the fourth quarter's outcome, as Tomas Satoransky's playmaking allowed the more desperate Barça to take the lead. Barcelona coach Joan Peñarroya addressed prior mistakes from the start: the Blaugrana attacked the rim aggressively, dominated offensive rebounds, and prevented fast breaks, leading 16-6 early and ending the first quarter 26-25.
Valencia, under Pedro Martínez, countered with lightning-quick adjustments. Brancou Badio scored 13 points in eight minutes of the second quarter, putting his team ahead (41-42). Players like Willy Hernangómez, Will Clyburn, and Punter offset Valencia's talent in Omari Moore, Darius Thompson, and Badio. Martínez managed Thompson effectively from the bench, enabling Valencia to lead 50-54 at halftime.
At the Palau, Barcelona pressured passing lanes, forced turnovers, and regained control with Satoransky directing. Punter, in a final exhibition (27 points and seven assists), demanded the ball on every possession and scored from varied positions, securing the win. Valencia Basket remains winless in this Euroliga arena against Barcelona.