"VAN" (Sports Desk - 16.09.2024) :: Spanish club Unicaja Malaga defeated NBA G League United 75-60 in the Final of the 34th FIBA Intercontinental Cup, in Singapore Indoor Stadium on Sunday, to celebrate their first ever title in the competition.
This result raises Europe's silverware tally in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup to 23 trophies, with Spanish clubs accounting for 11 of those conquests. On the other hand, NBA G League United became the first team from the USA to reach the Final since 1974.
Unicaja, who represented Europe by virtue of winning the Basketball Champions League last spring, jumped in the lead early in the opening period and held a 6-point cushion, 38-32, at half-time.
Powered by their stifling defense, the Spanish side tightened their grip on the game after the break and led by as many as 21 points in the fourth stanza to reclaim the trophy for Europe, after Brazil's Sesi Franca had won it last year.
Dylan Osetkowski was named MVP of the 2024 FIBA Intercontinental Cup, after leading all Unicaja scorers in the Final with 15 points. The 28-year-old power forward averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the tournament.
In another historical first, earlier on Sunday, the Tasmania JackJumpers became the first ever Australian club to step on the podium at a FIBA Intercontinental Cup tournament, three days after becoming the first club from Oceania to participate in the competition.
The reigning NBL champions outlasted Lebanon's Al Riyadi Beirut, the Basketball Asia League champions, 80-75 in the Third-Place Game.
Angola's Petro De Luanda meanwhile also signed off on a high note in Singapore, becoming the first ever African team to win a game in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup.
The BAL champions overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Argentina's Quimsa, the BCL Americas champions, 70-64 in the game for fifth place.
Final Standings:-
1. Unicaja (Spain)
2. NBA G League United (USA
3. Tasmania JackJumpers (Australia)
4. Al Riyadi Beirut (Lebanon)
5. Petro De Luanda (Angola)
6. Quimsa (Argentina)
FIBA Intercontinental Cup Singapore 2024 was an important milestone for the competition, as it was the second edition to be hosted in Asia and the first to include Oceania. The event has evolved into a truly global celebration, the only club basketball competition to involve all six continents.
Asia was included for the first time last year, while African clubs joined in 2022. Up until 2021, only teams from Europe and the Americas had taken part.
Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid remain the most successful club in FIBA Intercontinental Cup history, having won the trophy on five occasions.
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