Galatasaray loses Euro title to Lahn

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Lahn Dill dominated the Champions Cup final game from the start to finish. AA photo

Galatasaray wheelchair basketball team fell short in its bid to defend its title in the IWBF European Champions Cup and lost to Lahn Dill in the final yesterday.

Host team Galatasaray lost 79-65 against its German rival in the final that was played at the Sinan Erdem Dome and fell short in its bid to add to its three titles in the last four years.

“We wanted to win the fourth title in the fifth year, but we could not do it,” Galatasaray coach Sedat İncesu said. “There is this curse of playing at home in the final. Last year, we won in Germany, and today, we lost here.”

Yesterday, Lahn Dill jumped forward early in the first quarter and finished the opening period 23-16, thanks to a 10-2 run.

The Germans kept Galatasaray at some distance with 45-33 at the end of the first half and 69-52 at the end of the third quarter.

A late rally put Galatasaray closer to Lahn Dill again, with the Lions clawing back to 71-63. However, the Germans held on to their lead and won the game.

Galatasaray’s Polish forward Mateusz Filipski was named the Most Valuable Player despite the defeat.
“I am still in shock about the defeat,” the 24-year-old forward said briefly after the game.