La Bruixa d'Or Manresa produced a composed road performance to defeat Balkan Botevgrad 76-65 in EuroCup Basketball action on October 28, 2026. The Spanish side used a decisive third-quarter surge and a disciplined defensive effort to pull away from a Balkan team that stayed within striking distance for much of the first half but ran out of answers late.

Match overview

The opening quarter was a tight, physical affair, with Balkan feeding off their home crowd and attacking the rim through their frontcourt. Manresa answered with patient half-court execution and timely perimeter shooting, keeping the game level through the first ten minutes. The visitors edged ahead before halftime, taking a five-point cushion into the break after forcing a series of contested Balkan possessions.

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Manresa tightened its defense, rotated aggressively on the perimeter, and limited Balkan's second-chance opportunities. A 21-12 run in that period turned a close contest into a 58-45 advantage, and although Balkan made a brief fourth-quarter push, Manresa never allowed the lead to slip below seven points in the final six minutes.

Key moments

• Manresa closed the first half with a 7-2 spurt to take momentum into the locker room.
• An 8-0 run early in the third quarter, capped by back-to-back three-pointers, pushed the visitors into a double-digit lead.
• Balkan cut the deficit to 63-56 midway through the fourth, but Manresa responded with a 9-2 run to seal the result.

Tactical story

Manresa's defensive flexibility was the difference. The visitors mixed man-to-man pressure with a compact zone that clogged the paint and forced Balkan into outside shots. Balkan finished the night cold from beyond the arc, and their inability to convert open looks allowed Manresa to control the tempo. On offense, Manresa shared the ball well, generating quality looks through drive-and-kick actions and offensive rebounds that extended possessions.

Balkan's best moments came when they played through their interior game and attacked the offensive glass. However, Manresa's guards did an excellent job of shrinking driving lanes and contesting shots without fouling. The rebounding battle was relatively even, but Manresa's 15 forced turnovers and timely transition baskets proved decisive.

Standout players

Manresa's backcourt set the tone, combining for 31 points and 11 assists while committing only four turnovers. Their veteran forward added a double-double, anchoring the defense and hitting a pair of crucial third-quarter jumpers. For Balkan, the center led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while their starting guard chipped in 14 points but struggled with efficiency against Manresa's pressure.

EuroCup Basketball standings impact

The win strengthens Manresa's position in the EuroCup Basketball standings and gives them valuable momentum in group play. For Balkan Botevgrad, the loss leaves them searching for consistency on the offensive end, particularly against teams that can switch defensively and close out shooters. The Bulgarian side will need to improve their three-point shooting and late-game execution to stay competitive in a demanding EuroCup schedule.

Manresa's balanced scoring and defensive discipline made the difference in a game that was closer than the final score suggests. Balkan will look to regroup quickly, while Manresa can take confidence from a professional road win in a difficult environment.