Barcelona’s Euroleague unbeaten streak ended with a 95-74 loss to Olympiacos. Chimezie Metu led his team with seven rebounds, shot 66.7% from three, and scored 12 points. However, Barcelona’s 23.5% three-point shooting and rebounding struggles highlighted areas needing improvement ahead of their Spanish derby.
Last Updated on
October 31, 2024
Despite an impressive 4-0 start to the Euroleague season, Nigeria's national team star Chimezie Metu and Barcelona fell short in their first defeat, a 95-74 loss to Olympiacos. Playing in front of the aforementioned "majestic" Olympiacos faithful, Metu contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and an assist in 21 minutes on the court. While Metu shot an impressive 66.7% from three, Barcelona as a team managed only 23.5% from beyond the arc, falling well short of Olympiacos' offensive and defensive intensity.
Metu subbed in late in the first quarter and immediately made his presence known with a three-pointer, putting Barcelona up 17-13. However, Metu's two turnovers allowed Olympiacos to snatch back control, closing the quarter 21-17 in their favour.
Barcelona struggled to keep up on the boards, totalling just 24 rebounds to Olympiacos' 43. Even worse, they gave up 16 offensive rebounds, allowing Olympiacos repeated second chances that proved costly. Metu's hustle continued, with a key defensive rebound and timely points narrowing the gap to 46-40 by the third quarter. However, a crucial assist to Willy Hernangomez at the end of the quarter marked the last glimmer of Barcelona's comeback hopes as they trailed 61-48.
Subbed back in with just over three minutes left in the game, Metu added seven late points, but Olympiacos held firm, leading by as much as 25. French-Algerian guard Evan Fournier's buzzer-beater three sealed the game, handing Barcelona their first Euroleague loss and exposing areas in need of improvement.
Barcelona will have the chance to bounce back next week in a Spanish derby against Baskonia on 8 November 2024.
Despite this setback, Metu has shown solid, if unspectacular, form in the Euroleague, averaging 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. His standout performance came in a 97-88 away win over Anadolu Efes Istanbul, where he scored a season-high 21 points along with three rebounds and an assist.
[Photography Courtesy of the Euroleague]
