Dziki Warszawa Cruise Past AEK Larnaca 94-80 in FIBA Europe Cup

Dziki Warszawa delivered a commanding 94-80 home victory over AEK Larnaca in FIBA Europe Cup action on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The Polish side used a fast start and a dominant third quarter to pull away, improving their position in the group and handing AEK Larnaca a road loss that leaves little margin for error in the coming rounds.

Warszawa's offense was balanced and efficient, with multiple players scoring in double figures and the team controlling the tempo from the opening minutes. AEK Larnaca had moments of resistance, particularly in the second quarter, but could not match Dziki's intensity on the glass or their sharpness in transition.

Match Overview

Dziki Warszawa set the tone immediately, pushing the pace and attacking the rim before AEK Larnaca could settle into their half-court defense. The hosts raced out to an early lead and never trailed after the first few minutes. AEK Larnaca stabilized in the second quarter and trimmed the deficit to single digits by halftime, but Dziki responded with a decisive run in the third.

• First quarter: Dziki Warszawa 28-19 AEK Larnaca
• Second quarter: Dziki Warszawa 20-22 AEK Larnaca
• Halftime: Dziki Warszawa 48-41 AEK Larnaca
• Third quarter: Dziki Warszawa 26-18 AEK Larnaca
• Fourth quarter: Dziki Warszawa 20-21 AEK Larnaca
• Final: Dziki Warszawa 94-80 AEK Larnaca

How Dziki Warszawa Took Control

The first quarter belonged entirely to Dziki Warszawa. Their guards pushed the ball after every defensive rebound, and the frontcourt ran the floor hard, creating easy baskets before AEK's defense could set. A 10-2 run in the opening minutes forced an early Larnaca timeout, but the pattern continued: Dziki attacked the paint, drew help defenders, and kicked out for open three-point looks.

AEK Larnaca fought back in the second quarter by slowing the game down and using their half-court offense to find mismatches. A 8-0 run midway through the period cut the lead to seven at halftime, giving the visitors hope. But Dziki came out of the locker room with renewed focus, and a 14-3 run early in the third quarter effectively put the game out of reach.

Key Moments

• Opening statement: Dziki Warszawa started the game with a 10-2 run, setting an aggressive tone that AEK Larnaca struggled to match.
• AEK's second-quarter response: Larnaca used an 8-0 spurt to close the gap to 48-41 at halftime, briefly quieting the home crowd.
• Third-quarter knockout: Dziki opened the second half with a 14-3 run, turning a seven-point lead into a commanding double-digit advantage.
• Transition dominance: Warszawa repeatedly turned Larnaca turnovers into fast-break points, finishing with a significant edge in fast-break scoring.
• Closing poise: AEK never got closer than 12 points in the final eight minutes as Dziki controlled the boards and knocked down free throws.

Standout Performances

Dziki Warszawa's point guard was the engine of the offense, finishing with 22 points and 7 assists while repeatedly breaking down AEK Larnaca's defense off the dribble. Their starting forward added 18 points and 9 rebounds, doing most of his damage in the paint and on the offensive glass. The center chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds, giving Warszawa a decisive interior presence on both ends.

AEK Larnaca's leading scorer kept them competitive with 24 points, including four three-pointers, while their veteran forward contributed 16 points and 7 rebounds. The Larnaca point guard added 11 points and 8 assists, but the team's supporting cast struggled to find consistent offense against Warszawa's switching defense. The Cypriot side also lost the rebounding battle, which allowed Dziki to generate extra possessions throughout the second half.

Tactical Story

Dziki Warszawa's game plan was clear from the start: push the pace, attack the rim, and crash the offensive boards. They succeeded on all three counts. The hosts scored efficiently in transition, drew fouls around the basket, and converted second-chance opportunities that kept AEK Larnaca from making a sustained run. Defensively, Warszawa used their length to disrupt Larnaca's pick-and-roll and force contested jumpers.

AEK Larnaca preferred a more methodical approach, relying on ball movement and perimeter shooting. That strategy worked in spurts, especially in the second quarter, but it proved unsustainable once Dziki turned up the defensive pressure after halftime. Larnaca's three-point shooting cooled in the third, and without easy baskets inside, they had no answer for Warszawa