Benfica qualifies for the group stage of the Basketball Champions League
It was not easy for Benfica to win, surprised by the strong start of Norrkoping, ‘demolishing’ in the triple throws, and dominated in the first two periods.
Norrkoping was always in front of the scorer, at first, taking good advantage of several errors in actions, both defensive and attacking, of Benfica.
The Swedes’ effectiveness on triples — 11 on 21 shots — through halftime explains their 10-point lead (45-35) at the end of the first two halfs.
Review here the main incidences of the match
Benfica, who were trailing by 13 on the restart, began to balance the game better, gradually, until they were losing by only one point, 59-60, at the end of the third half.
Re-entering the qualifier completely, Benfica galvanised and moved to the lead of the score.
Playing at their best and in ascendant confidence, the champions of Portugal extended the lead to ten points, to the despair of the Swedes, without strength to prevent the opponent from moving forward in the ‘Champions’.
The base João Gomes, with 20 points, was today the individual highlight of the ‘incarnate’.
The Portuguese champions will be part of Group G of the Champions League, with the Israelis of Hapoel Jerusalem, the Turks of Galatasaray and the Greeks of PAOK.