AEK Athens kicked off their new Basketball Champions League season with a convincing 69-53 road victory over VEF Riga. The Greek team controlled the game from the very beginning, establishing a lead that they never gave up and showing they are a strong contender in the tournament.
The key to AEK’s success was their fast start and balanced team play. In contrast, VEF Riga struggled to find its rhythm, and a strong individual performance was not enough to overcome the visitors’ collective effort. This loss also marked the end of a long winning streak for Riga in official matches.
🚀 A Dominant Start
AEK set the tone early, storming ahead in the first quarter with a commanding 26-12 lead. This early advantage proved crucial, as they managed the game effectively for the remaining three quarters. VEF Riga was never able to take the lead, allowing the Athens team to secure a comfortable win away from home.
🤝 Balanced Team Effort
A standout feature of AEK’s performance was their impressive teamwork on offense. A total of 11 different players contributed to the score sheet, demonstrating the team’s depth. Dimitrios Katsivelis was the top scorer with 13 points, and he was the only player on his team to reach double digits. This shared scoring responsibility made it difficult for Riga’s defense to contain them.
🏀 Riga’s Tough Night
For VEF Riga, it was a challenging start to their BCL campaign. Despite the team’s overall struggles, Zahir Porter delivered a solid performance, finishing the game with 16 points and five rebounds. However, his individual effort wasn’t enough to turn the tide. The loss was Riga’s first in an official game since April, bringing an end to their impressive run of victories.
