The Dreamland Gran Canaria has regained its footing in European competition, bouncing back from recent setbacks with a thrilling 84-80 victory over Umana Reyer Venecia in the Eurocup. This hard-fought win not only boosted the team’s morale but also secured their spot in the quarterfinals, where they’ll face off against Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem in a single-elimination match on March 11th in Belgrado.
A key factor in this triumph was the outstanding performance of French point guard Mehdy Ngouama, who stepped up with 18 points and a valuation of 21, effectively neutralizing the impact of Venecia’s trio of Simms, Ennis, and Parks, who collectively scored 45 points. Ngouama’s crucial contributions didn’t go unnoticed, as he proved to be the surprise package and standout player for the Gran Canaria side.
The game began with a high level of intensity and tension, marked by mistakes on both sides. However, the Gran Canaria team managed to take a slight lead thanks to points from Brussino, Tobey, and Ngouama, ending the first quarter 25-16 in their favor. The Venecia team, led by Coach Neven Spahija, who notably won the Liga ACB with Baskonia in the 2007-08 season, fought hard to stay in contention, with Kebengele and Ennis making significant contributions.
Ngouama Takes Center Stage
Ngouama’s emergence was a turning point in the game. After replacing the injured Albicy, who had picked up two early fouls, Ngouama took charge, scoring 11 points in the first quarter. His performance was instrumental in shaping the game’s momentum, and by the end of the first half, Gran Canaria was leading 46-39.
The Venecia team refused to back down, with Simms and Wiltjer continuing to drive their offense. However, the Gran Canaria perimeter was on fire, with Brussino and Ngouama leading the charge. As the game progressed, it became clear that this would be a closely contested match, with neither team willing to give an inch.
Lakovic’s Tactical Move
In the third quarter, Jordan Parks scored eight consecutive points in just a minute and a half, flipping the script and giving Venecia a 46-47 lead. This prompted Gran Canaria’s coach, Jaka Lakovic, to call a timeout to stem the Venecian tide. The game seesawed back and forth, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a decisive advantage.
As the final quarter approached, the intensity reached a boiling point. Homesley managed to put the Canarians in the lead at the end of the third quarter with a driving basket, aided by Conditt’s block, making it 63-62. The stage was set for a thrilling conclusion.
The last quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm. However, a suspension shot by Thomasson and a subsequent free throw gave Gran Canaria some breathing room at 76-72, prompting Spahija to call another timeout with 2:14 left on the clock.
Canarian Accuracy at the End
Despite the efforts of Ennis and Kabengele to mount a late surge for Venecia, a three-pointer by Thomasson and a free throw sealed the deal for Gran Canaria. Although Munford tried to keep Venecia in the game with free throws, a crucial block by Brussino and a late three-pointer by Pelos finally secured an 84-80 victory for the Dreamland Gran Canaria.
This win sets the stage for an exciting quarterfinal match against Hapoel Jerusalem, scheduled for March 11th in Belgrado. The final technical sheet highlighted the balanced effort from Gran Canaria, with Ngouama leading the way, and spiteful performances from Brussino, Tobey, and Thomasson. For Venecia, Simms, Ennis, and Parks were the standout players, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the determined Gran Canaria side.
The match, played in front of 5,297 spectators at the Gran Canaria Arena, was officiated by Rain Peerandi, Sergio Silva, and Uros Obrknezevic, with no players ejected during the game. This victory not only advances Gran Canaria to the quarterfinals of the Eurocup but also marks a significant turnaround in their European campaign, injecting newfound hope and enthusiasm into their season.