BILBAO. Surne Bilbao Basket claimed the FIBA Europe Cup championship after defeating PAOK 89-74 at Miribilla, overturning the continental final. Jaume Ponsarnau's squad delivered a dominant second half to erase a six-point deficit from the first leg and reclaim a European trophy on a historic night for Bilbao basketball.
The opening of the game favored PAOK, who took advantage of Surne Bilbao Basket's early hesitation and poor shooting percentages to seize control. The Greek side found better rhythm in the opening minutes while Bilbao struggled to settle on both ends of the floor. As the quarter progressed, Melwin Pantzar appeared, very aggressive around the rim, to change the offensive pace for the hosts. The point guard scored 9 points in that opening stretch and kept the Basque side competitive in the final.
The second quarter brought Surne Bilbao Basket's decisive response. Defense elevated several notches, the tempo shifted, and the hosts began punishing in transition. Normantas, especially sharp, led the partial comeback with 11 points before halftime. Bilbao went into the locker room with a 43-41 advantage, still trailing in the series overall, but with the feeling of having seized emotional control of the FIBA Europe Cup final.
After the break, Jaume Ponsarnau's best version of the team emerged. The third quarter started evenly, but a devastating offensive stretch from the Bilbao side completely broke the game open. In just five minutes, Surne Bilbao Basket scored 17 points to take the lead for the first time in the final. From 60-53, they jumped to a commanding 67-53 that electrified Miribilla.
The run left PAOK without an answer and put Bilbao with a total eight-point advantage in the series. The quarter ended at 70-57 with everything in favor of the hosts.
The final period confirmed the champion's superiority. The lead exceeded twenty points, and Patrick Beverly's elimination via five personal fouls further complicated the Greek side's options. PAOK tried to respond from the free-throw line and with some outside makes, cutting the deficit to 15 points in the final three minutes, but Surne Bilbao Basket managed the situation with maturity and gave no real chance for a comeback.
On the individual front, Normantas was the standout player with 17 points and a 20 rating. Hilliard also shone with 16 points, as did the duo of Pantzar and Petrasek, both with 14 points. Four key names in a collective performance that propelled Surne Bilbao Basket toward the title.
With this victory, Surne Bilbao Basket delivers one of the most important nights in its recent history and reigns in Europe once again by conquering the FIBA Europe Cup against a tough PAOK. The Bilbao side closes a memorable final with a commanding comeback and a trophy that reinforces the growth of the project.