Spanish side Unicaja Malaga beat NBA G League United to the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 title on Sunday evening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium
A picture-perfect finish for Unicaja Malaga as the team decisively beat out G League United to clinch the title as the new reigning champions of the 34th FIBA Intercontinental Cup at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The Spanish champions beat the deflated American side 75 – 60 in an action-packed final match of the competition which saw the Spanish outfit lifting their first title in the competition.
Not understating the outfit from the USA, the NBA G League United team made history this time out, becoming the first team from the USA to reach the final since 1974.
From the 12th to the 15th of September 2024, six of some of the best club basketball teams in the world convened at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to settle their differences in a competition for basketball supremacy. There were special guests in attendance too, most notably NBA All-Star and current CBA team Beijing Royal Fighters head coach Stephon Marbury.
Preceding the final day, NBA G League United just edged out NBL champions Tasmania JackJumpers to secure their spot in the Final, against Unicaja.
Unicaja Malaga enjoyed an unbroken win-streak, completing a clean sweep of Group A, beating out Petro De Luanda and fellow BCL champ, Asian team Al Riyadi Beirut, and securing their spot in the final early.
Podium Place Drama
Tasmania Jackjumpers beat out Al Riyadi Beirut to secure an overall third place finish in the championship in what was a to dominant game for the Australians. There was late drama in the game when the team from Beirut pulled back the 10-point deficit to lead at the end of the third quarter. Ultimately, the Jackjumpers’ late offensive onslaught overcame a tired Al Riyadi defence to come out of the game on top.
The Basketball Africa League winners, Petro De Luanda, who lost both of their initial classification games against a confident Unicaja and Al Riyadi Beirut 75-80, managed to claim 5th place after winning a thrilling game against Argentine team Quimsa which ended with a final score of 70-64, overcoming a 13-point deficit.
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)
Apart from the basketball, spectators were also treated to entertainment from various performance artistes and hype men and women who gave out freebies via pressurised shirt cannons.
Next year will see the return of the FIBA ICC to Singapore Sports Hub, as part of the three-year contract which began last year. It's been a thrilling past two editions of the tournament, so excitement is sure to build for 2025.
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