Newley and Gran Canaria win through to Eurocup finals
Australia's Brad Newley and Herbalife Gran Canaria have accounted for Unics Kazan at home by 2 points, sweeping their Russian opponents 2-0 to reach their first ever Eurocup finals.
In front of a capacity 8,000 fans in Gran Canaria Arena, the hosts proved too strong for Unics, holding on to win 78-76 and earn their 21st win of the season and maintaining their unbeaten 11 game winning streak at home in Eurocup. While Newley had previously won through to the Eurocup finals with Valencia Basket in 2012 which he was runners-up, he will be hoping to go one better this time around with a team that has lost only 1 game all season.
WE ARE IN THE @Eurocup FINALS! #GranCanariaEurocup pic.twitter.com/1EGRWT6um8
— CBGranCanariaEnglish (@GranCanariaCBen) April 8, 2015
Gran Canaria opened the game strongly on the back of an 8-1 run helped Gran Canaria obtain an early advantage, but the game would become a close and hard-fought battle with neither team able to gain the ascendancy. Riding the wave of emotion from the home fans, Gran Canaria was able to keep their noses in front when it mattered the most, making their free throws to seal the game at the end.
Newley provide a solid contribution in the ground-breaking win for his team. He added 5 points and 3 rebounds in playing 25 minutes as a starter and was able to make a difference at both ends of the court. His veteran leadership and experience will be required more than ever as his leads the team to the Eurocup finals for the first time.
In the finals, Gran Canaria will face another Russian side in Khimki Moscow who accounted for Bandit Bandirma by 3 points on aggregate after their two-game series was tied at 1-1. they will prove a formidable opponent and one that Gran Canaria will be looking to overcome to earn their first ever Eurocup title.
https://youtu.be/uNlo0UrxA9c
Don't miss all the Eurocup and Euroleague hoops action this week on Eurosport Australia via Foxtel who once again provide exclusive coverage of the best two leagues in Europe!
Here is the Eurosport Australia TV schedule for the next week!
It is down to the final two groups of eight teams known as the 'Top 16', this stage is a round robin format with each team playing a total of 14 games. The best four teams will advance to the playoffs and continue their pursuit of the 2015 Euroleague title!
Friday, April 10
3:00am LIVE: Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul (TUR) vs Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR)
4:45am LIVE: Armani Milan (ITA) vs CSKA Moscow (RUS)
Saturday, April 11
4:00am LIVE: Anadolu Efes Istanbul (TUR) vs Emporio Armani Milan (ITA)
We are now down to just 2 teams! Yes - it is time for the 2015 Eurocup finals!
The schedule for game 1 will be updated once it has been confirmed.
* Times are subject to change. Times and Dates are AEDT. See http://tv.au.eurosport.com/ for details.