11 - 13
February 2022
31 Jarell Eddie (BURG)
11/02/2022
Game Report
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Reigning champs Burgos too much for Zamalek, set date with Flamengo

CAIRO (Egypt) - Hereda San Burgos get their chance to become the first repeat champion of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in 44 years after defeating Zamalek 78-61 to set up a date with Flamengo in the 2022 Final.

The two-time reigning Basketball Champions League winners Burgos hope to join Real Madrid (5 titles), Ignis Varese (3), Aktron Goodyear Wingfoots (3), Ford Cantu (2) and Iberostar Tenerife (2) as the sixth club with multiple Intercontinental Cup crowns. The last repeat winner was Real Madrid, who won the competition three straight years from 1976 to 1978. 

  
Turning point: Backed by the fans at the Hassan Moustafa Sports Hall - which was filled to maximum allowed capacity of 50 percent due to Covid-19 restrictions -  Mikhael McKinney had sparked a 8-0 run to get Zamalek within five points midway through the third quarter. Burgos stepped up their defense and Xavi Rabaseda and Alex Renfroe both drained three-pointers as the Spanish side went on a 10-0 surge over the final 5:49 minutes to lead 63-47 after 30 minutes. The home side could not get any closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

Game hero: There are easier tasks than naming a single hero for this game as it was the Burgos collective that carried them to the victory. But if only one player must be picked out, a good selection would be Landry Nnoko. Not only did the Cameroon big man score 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and 3-of-4 free throws, but he also grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds - 5 of them from the offensive glass - while also dishing out 3 assists for an efficiency of 21.

Stats don't lie: Sure, Zamalek only committed 7 turnovers, but the Egyptians were foiled by the Spanish side's defense, shooting only 29 percent from the field including just 22 percent from long range. And that poor execution did not allow them to take advantage of snatching 20 offensive rebounds.

Bottom line: Burgos have been bounced from this season's Basketball Champions League and they are struggling mightily in last place in the Spanish ACB, so the team will look so salvage their season by making history again with this crown.

 
FIBA