Maxima Roma delivered one of the most emphatic results of the EuroCup Basketball round, powering past U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca 89-55 at home on October 1, 2026. The 34-point victory gave Roma a commanding start to their continental campaign and sent a clear message about their depth, defensive intensity, and ability to turn stops into quick offense.

A dominant opening from the first quarter

Roma set the tone immediately, racing out to a double-digit lead before Cluj Napoca could settle into their half-court sets. By the end of the first quarter, the hosts led 24-12, and the margin continued to grow as their bench units maintained the same energy as the starters. The quarter-by-quarter scoring told the story of a game that was never seriously in doubt: 24-12, 20-15, 23-14, and 22-14.

Cluj Napoca struggled to find clean looks against Roma's switching defense. The Romanian side managed just 27 first-half points, while Roma moved the ball with purpose and punished every defensive rebound with transition pressure. The home crowd was treated to a complete performance on both ends of the floor.

Key moments and turning points

The decisive stretch arrived midway through the second quarter, when Maxima Roma ripped off a 12-0 run that turned a 14-point advantage into a 26-point cushion. That burst featured consecutive corner three-pointers, a steal that led to an uncontested dunk, and a pair of free throws after an unsportsmanlike foul. U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca never recovered.

Even when Cluj Napoca found brief offensive rhythm after halftime, Roma answered with disciplined possessions. A third-quarter 9-2 run pushed the lead beyond 30 points and allowed the hosts to empty their bench in the final period. The visitors' best stretch came early in the fourth, but it only trimmed the deficit to 28 before Roma closed the game with another flurry of fast-break points.

Tactical story: defense fuels the blowout

Roma's game plan was built on pressure at the point of attack and active hands in the passing lanes. They forced Cluj Napoca into a high number of turnovers and converted those mistakes into easy baskets. Offensively, Roma shared the ball beautifully, finishing with more than 20 assists and hitting double-digit three-pointers. The inside-out combination of post touches and quick perimeter ball reversal left Cluj Napoca's defense scrambling all night.

Cluj Napoca, by contrast, settled for contested jump shots and struggled to generate second-chance points. Their half-court offense lacked movement, and when they did attack the rim, Roma's big men altered shots without fouling. The rebounding battle was equally one-sided, with Roma controlling the defensive glass and limiting the visitors to very few extra possessions.

Standout performers

• Maxima Roma backcourt: The starting guards combined for 31 points, 11 assists, and 6 steals, consistently breaking down Cluj Napoca's first line of defense.
• Maxima Roma frontcourt: A dominant interior presence finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks, anchoring the paint on both ends.
• Roma bench: The reserves added 30 points, turning the game into a rout and showing the squad's impressive depth for EuroCup Basketball competition.
• U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca: The visiting captain led the team with 13 points, but no other Cluj player reached double figures in a difficult road outing.

What the result means in the EuroCup standings

The 89-55 win gives Maxima Roma a valuable early edge in the EuroCup Basketball standings, especially with point differential potentially mattering in a tightly packed group. It also improves their head-to-head position against U-Mobitelco BT Cluj Napoca and builds momentum before the next round of fixtures. For Cluj Napoca, the focus will be on reducing turnovers and finding more balanced scoring before their next continental test.