Neftchi IK opened their FIBA Europe Cup campaign with a statement 80-67 victory over KK Pärnu, controlling the game from the second quarter onwards in front of a loud home crowd in Baku. A balanced offensive display, anchored by a decisive run either side of half-time, gave the Azerbaijani side a winning start and an early edge in the group standings.

The 13-point margin flatters Pärnu slightly, because the Estonians were chasing the game for the entire second half. Neftchi led by double digits for much of the night, survived a brief third-quarter wobble, and then closed the door with a composed final eight minutes that drained any remaining suspense from the contest.

Match Overview

The game followed a clear pattern: Neftchi's guards pushed the tempo early, their frontcourt cleaned up the defensive glass, and Pärnu were left relying on contested jump shots. The quarter-by-quarter scoring tells the story of a home side that consistently found answers whenever the visitors threatened.

Neftchi's 43-33 half-time advantage was built on a 21-point second quarter in which they shot efficiently from beyond the arc and converted Pärnu's turnovers into transition points. The Estonians trimmed the deficit to six midway through the third, but never got closer than that.

How Neftchi Built the Lead

The opening exchanges were tight. Pärnu's half-court offense, built around high ball screens and quick ball reversal, kept them within a possession for most of the first quarter. Neftchi's response was to increase the defensive pressure on the perimeter, switching aggressively on screens and forcing the Estonian guards into late-clock decisions.

That adjustment paid off immediately. A 10-2 run early in the second quarter — sparked by back-to-back steals that turned into easy layups at the other end — stretched the lead to 32-22 and forced Pärnu into a timeout. From that point on, the visitors were playing catch-up.

Neftchi's rebounding dominance was central to the win. They finished with a 42-34 advantage on the boards, including 12 offensive rebounds that produced a steady stream of second-chance points. When Pärnu did force a miss, they too often failed to secure the ball.

Pärnu's Fightback and Neftchi's Response

KK Pärnu deserve credit for refusing to fold. Trailing 47-33 early in the third quarter, they went on a 12-4 surge powered by three-point shooting and a more aggressive approach in the paint. When their import forward converted an and-one with just under four minutes left in the period, the lead was down to six and the away bench was on its feet.

That was as close as it got. Neftchi answered with a 7-0 burst of their own to close the third quarter, capped by a step-back three from their leading scorer. The momentum swing effectively ended the contest as a competitive matter, even if the scoreline stayed respectable.

Tactical Story

Two tactical themes defined this FIBA Europe Cup opener.

• Pace control: Neftchi wanted a faster game and got it. Their transition offense generated easy points, while Pärnu's preference for a slower, half-court grind never fully took hold.
• Perimeter defense: Pärnu shot just 7-of-28 from three-point range. Neftchi's closeouts were sharp, and their help rotations consistently arrived a step before the shooter could set his feet.
• Turnover battle: Neftchi coughed the ball up only 11 times, compared to 15 for the visitors. In a game decided by 13 points, that gap was significant.

Pärnu's coaching staff will likely look at the defensive glass as the primary problem. Giving up 12 offensive rebounds on the road in European competition is a reliable way to lose, regardless of how well the offense performs.

Standout Performers

Jordan Rivers led all scorers with 21 points for Neftchi IK, adding 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. The American guard was the game's most influential player, dictating tempo in the first half and hitting the biggest shot of the night to end the third quarter.

Elvin Mammadov added 16 points and 8 rebounds in a strong two-way performance, while center Tural Aliyev posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Import big man Devin Marsh chipped in 11 points off the bench, giving Neftchi the interior depth that Pärnu simply could not match.

For KK Pärnu, gu