Atomic basketball in the first half, but also calmness and maturity in the second when the rival threatened - the basketball players of Budućnost Voli reached 3rd place in the Eurocup group stage in grand style. And, most importantly, they secured home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The "Blue and White" gave a basketball lesson to Burg, the leader until this round, celebrating 94:84 and scheduled a showdown with Cluj in "Morača" - the winner of that duel will advance to the quarterfinals.
Three times in the last four years, Buducnost has missed out on home-field advantage (once failing to make it past the group stage) and the price has always been too high - the end at the start of the playoffs. Now, Andrej Žakelj's team has shown that they are much more mature, have found a rival to match their size and will play at least one more European match in Podgorica.
The winner of the match between Buducnost and Cluj will play Bahçeşehir - also one match, but this time in Istanbul. After that, a "real play-off" would follow with two home and two away games.
Butej - Burg 12:11
Axel Butey obviously had an additional motive against his countrymen, so during the first quarter he was an insoluble enigma for the team that comes from the part of France where the Buducnost winger was born.
How good he was during the first 10 minutes is perhaps best demonstrated by the fact that he scored 12 points in that period, while the entire Burg team scored 11. The "Blue and White" ended that period with an excellent 16-point lead (27:11).
It seems like everything good the visitors did in the first half happened at the beginning of the second quarter, which they opened with four consecutive three-pointers and closed the gap to 30:23. There was perhaps a fear in those moments that the scenario from the match with Red Star would be repeated in that quarter, but Žakelj's men now had the right answer.
Five consecutive points by Juvan Morgan announced a new series for the "blue and whites", Raashid Sulajmon also scored, so the scoreboard read 52:31 before the break.
Fear, but also the right answer
When Ferrell hit a three-pointer at the start of the third period for a maximum 55:31 lead, it seemed that Buducnost would continue in the same rhythm, but something like that was hard to expect against a quality team like Burg certainly is.
The French team, down 24 points, came within 10 points of the deficit several times, and after a three-pointer by Rikard Lind midway through the final quarter, it was down to just six (82:76).
However, neither fatigue after a tough match with Red Star 48 hours earlier, nor a dangerous rival this time were an obstacle.
Yogi Ferrell's calmness, Jerry Butziel's big heart and the always good Juvan Morgan repelled the onslaught of their rivals and paved the way to a great victory.
THE FUTURE LOVES - BURG 96:84 (27:11, 25:20, 21:30, 23:23)
Podgorica - "Morača" Hall. Audience: 3.000. Referees: Garcia (Spain), Udjanski (Great Britain), Ćići (Albania).
Buducnost Voli: SULAJMON 15 (4-2), Mays 7 (4-3), Thompson, TANASKOVIC 10 (8-6), FEREL 19 (8-7), JOVANOVICI, Morgan 11, BUTSIJEL 16 (14-10), Nikolic, Kovljar, Butej 18 (3-2).
Burg: MEKGI 11, Mičel 11 (4-2), MULARE 18 (3-3), Kane, Labanka 2, GAK 11 (6-6), Embaja 2, LINDO 9 (2-2), Čeri 13 (2-1), KOKILA 7 (7-5).
New points for Morgan and Butsijel for plus 13 with a minute and a half left - 92:79The future has repelled the dangerous attacks of Burg and is heading towards a great victory.
Excellent reaction from Buducnost - Morgan scores for a 6:0 series and plus 12 (88:76).
After a penalty by Ferrell and an excellent reaction from Sulajmon in defense, Butsiel fought for new free throws - the French cantar hit both and returned plus 10 (86:76). Three minutes left in the game.
Another Burgo - Lindo threesome for 82:76.
Important points from Morgan after offensive rebounds from Butsiel and himself (82:73).
It seems he can't do without drama - McGee hits a three-pointer and reduces 80:73.
A great fight in "Morača" and many mistakes on both sides at this moment - with just over five minutes to go, Buducnost still has a nice 10-point lead, but Burg continues to threaten (80:70).
Kevin Kokila sa 2+1 dovodi Burg na minus 10 (76:66).
When times are tough, there's always Ferel - his new three-pointer opens the final quarter (76:61).
Buducnost is up 12 with 10 minutes left - 73:61. Burg played his best basketball in the third quarter, but it seems that Andrej Žakelj's team has the quality to finish it all off.
Three Ferrells at the right moment (73:59).
Buducnost allowed several offensive rebounds to their rival, so Burg reached minus 11 after Mulare's three-pointer (70:59).
With a plus 21 to 12 points advantage - Buducnost has slowed down a bit, Burg is threatening (68:56).
Burg threatens once again - after 2+1 Villa Cherry, the team from France has reduced to 66:52.
He reduced Burg to 15, but a new trio of Butejas arrives (63:45).
Both were fired up at the start of the third quarter - Sulajmon hit a three-pointer, but Burg had an answer through Mulare, so the guests, down 24, came within 17 points of a lead (60:43).
A three-pointer arrives at the start of the third period - Butej scores for 55:31.
What a half for Buducnost in a great atmosphere at "Morača" - Andrej Žakelj's boys are on a huge plus 21 against the team that was the leader until this round (52:31).
Butej and Sulajmon scored 12 points each for the home team.
Showtime in Morača - Sulajmon's three-pointer and two points for Ferrell, Buducnost goes to 50:29.
Bonus video:
