ANADOLU EFES — Anadolu Efes walked into Feb. 3 needing something to change. It got it immediately. Efes detonated for a 33-14 first quarter and never let Valencia breathe, cruising to a 107-90 EuroLeague win at Basketbol Gelisim Merkezi.
The result is a jolt for an Efes team that entered at 6-19 and riding a five-game losing streak (LLLLL). Valencia, 16-9 coming in, couldn’t recover from the opening punch despite scoring 32 in the second quarter.
The game: won in the first 10 minutes
Efes’ advantage was built in the cleanest way possible: separation early, then control. After the 19-point first-quarter gap, Valencia briefly stabilized the game by winning the second quarter 32-24, trimming the deficit to 57-46 at halftime.
But every time Valencia hinted at momentum, Efes answered with another run. The home side reclaimed the initiative coming out of the break, taking the third quarter 27-18 to push the margin back to 84-64. From there, the fourth quarter was about managing the game—Efes scored 23 in the period and closed without drama.
Ball movement and pace: Efes’ clearest edge
Efes’ offense was connected all night. The hosts finished with 24 assists, consistently creating advantages through quick decisions and extra passes. Valencia had 22 assists, but much of its production came while playing from behind, with Efes able to dictate matchups and tempo after the early surge.
Turning points
1) The opening blitz
The 33-14 first quarter wasn’t just a hot stretch—it reshaped the game’s math. Efes forced Valencia into a catch-up script for 30 minutes, opening the door for controlled possessions and a steadier shot diet.
2) The third-quarter reassertion
Valencia’s 32-point second quarter gave it a lifeline. Efes cut it off immediately after halftime, winning the third 27-18 and restoring a 20-point cushion heading into the fourth.
What it means going forward
For Efes, this is the blueprint for stabilizing a season that has been defined by losses: start with force, then sustain with structure. The assist count (24) underscores an offense that didn’t rely on isolation to build its lead.
For Valencia, the loss is a reminder that high-level offense in spurts isn’t enough when the defensive floor collapses early. Even with a strong second quarter and 22 assists overall, the initial deficit proved too steep to climb.
By the numbers
Final: Anadolu Efes 107, Valencia 90
Quarter scores: Efes 33-24-27-23 (107); Valencia 14-32-18-26 (90)
Assists: Efes 24, Valencia 22