CSM Oradea opened their Basketball Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 95-87 victory over AEK Larnaca, turning a tight, back-and-forth contest into a decisive home win behind a fourth-quarter surge. In a game that featured 12 lead changes and eight ties, the Romanian champions found another gear late, pulling away in the final six minutes to protect home court and start the continental season on the right foot.

Match Overview

• Competition: Basketball Champions League
• Result: CSM Oradea 95, AEK Larnaca 87
• Venue: Oradea Arena, Oradea
• Winning margin: 8 points
• Game type: Fast-paced, high-possession European clash

Both teams came into the fixture looking to establish themselves early in the group phase, and the opening quarter reflected that urgency. Oradea pushed the tempo from the first possession, looking to attack before Larnaca's half-court defense could set, while the Cypriot visitors answered with patient ball movement and timely three-point shooting that kept them within touching distance through the first twenty minutes.

How the Game Unfolded

The first half was a genuine shootout. Oradea's guards consistently broke down the initial line of defense, generating paint touches and kick-out opportunities, and the hosts shot efficiently from beyond the arc to build a slender lead. Larnaca, though, refused to go away. Their perimeter shooting and second-chance points off the offensive glass kept the deficit within one or two possessions, and a late first-half run trimmed the margin to just three at the interval.

The third quarter belonged to the visitors for long stretches. AEK Larnaca came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, switching aggressively on screens and forcing Oradea into a series of contested jumpers. A quick 8-0 burst gave Larnaca their largest lead of the night, and for a moment it looked as though the momentum had shifted permanently.

Key Moments

The turning point arrived midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing by four, Oradea responded with a decisive 11-2 run built on defensive stops rather than shot-making alone. A steal-and-score in transition leveled the game, and a pair of free throws on the following possession gave the hosts a lead they would never surrender. From there, Oradea closed the game with disciplined execution, converting their late-game free throws and forcing Larnaca into rushed attempts as the clock wound down.

Tactical Story

Oradea's success ultimately came down to two adjustments: an increased commitment to defensive rebounding and a more deliberate approach in the pick-and-roll. By keeping Larnaca off the offensive boards in the final quarter, the hosts eliminated the second-chance points that had kept the visitors alive. On offense, Oradea slowed down just enough to attack mismatches inside, drawing fouls and getting to the line at a rate Larnaca could not match.

Larnaca's game plan was sound for three quarters. Their spacing and ball movement created open looks, and their zone looks briefly disrupted Oradea's rhythm. But when the pace slowed and the game became physical, the Cypriots struggled to generate clean shots in the half court, settling for long attempts that rimmed out at the worst possible time.

Standout Performers

Oradea's backcourt led the way, combining efficient shooting with control of the tempo, while their interior players did the dirty work on the glass and at the free-throw line. The bench also provided a meaningful spark, with the reserve unit holding its own during a crucial stretch early in the fourth quarter that allowed the starters to return fresh for the closing run.

For AEK Larnaca, the performance offered plenty of encouragement despite the result. Their perimeter shooting kept them competitive throughout, and their ability to weather Oradea's runs on the road suggests they will be a difficult opponent at home in the return fixture.

What It Means

For CSM Oradea, the win is an important early statement in the Basketball Champions League standings. Home victories are the currency of group-phase survival, and protecting Oradea Arena gives the Romanian side a valuable cushion as the schedule tightens. The 95-point output also signals that their offense can carry them in high-scoring games when needed.

AEK Larnaca leave with a competitive loss rather than a damaging one. An eight-point defeat on the road against a strong host is far from fatal, and the Cypriots will take confidence from stretches in which they controlled the game. The head-to-head return on their own floor now becomes a critical fixture in their campaign.