Fenerbahce secured their place in the EuroLeague Final Four after a dramatic overtime victory against Zalgiris. The Turkish club won the second game of their quarterfinal playoff series 94-90 on the road, clinching the series with a 3-1 advantage.
The match was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to build a decisive lead. The scoreline at the end of regulation time was tied, forcing an additional five-minute overtime period. Fenerbahce outscored their opponents 14-10 in the extra time to seal the win and their progression in the tournament.
Canadian forward Kem Birch was the standout performer for Fenerbahce, recording a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds. His all-around contribution also included one steal, two blocks, and two turnovers, finishing the game with an impressive efficiency rating of +31.
For the home side, French point guard Sylvain Francisco put in a valiant effort, also achieving a double-double. He tallied 23 points and 11 assists, adding two rebounds, two steals, and two turnovers for a +27 efficiency rating. Despite his strong individual performance, it was not enough to prevent his team's elimination.
The victory means Fenerbahce will now prepare for the prestigious Final Four stage of the EuroLeague, where they will compete against the other top teams in European basketball for the championship title. This result marks the end of the road for Zalgiris in this season's competition.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.