Ironi Ness Ziona edge Arged BMSLAM Stal to capture historic title

TEL AVIV (Israel) - Ironi Ness Ziona captured the 2020-21 FIBA Europe Cup title after overcoming Arged BMSLAM Stal in a hard-fought battle in Sunday's Final.

They were spurred on by a passionate home crowd as they avenged a loss to the same opponents from the Regular Season to prevail for an 82-74 triumph.

Turning point: Ness Ziona made an aggressive start - as they did in their Semi-Final victory - and controlled the paint at both ends of the floor as they established a 42-30 advantage. The momentum shifted in the third quarter as Arged BMSLAM Stal found their offense with a 30-point period to surge in front, but they would then be held scoreless for six minutes in the fourth and Ness Ziona then produced a pivotal spell down the stretch to seal the win.

Game hero(es): Nimrod Levi was huge off the bench for Ness Ziona and backed up his hot start with six points in a row in a decisive spell down the stretch to finish with a game-high of 21 points. The victors had several key contributors with Jerome Meyinsse posting a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Stats don't lie: Conceding 30 points in the third. Just 9 points in the fourth. Ness Ziona's defense stepped up when it mattered and managed to hold their opponents to 32-percent shooting from the floor overall, whilst also outscoring them 38-16 in the paint.

What they said:

FIBA