Prešov put on a masterclass against Samobor, running out 98-65 winners in the EuroCup on 30 September 2026. The hosts made no mistake from the opening tip, and by then it was clear this would be one-way traffic. They moved the ball with purpose, and Samobor simply could not match the tempo.
Prešov led by 15 after the first quarter and never looked back. They switched off at a set piece early on, but recovered quickly. The visitors tried to stay in it, but the gap only grew. By half-time the scoreboard told the whole story - 50-32 to the home side.
Samobor's recent form offered little comfort. They had lost 81-59 to Zadar just days before, and before that suffered a 103-83 defeat to Prešov themselves on 23 September. This time they arrived knowing they were outmatched. They gave nothing away in terms of effort, but effort alone does not fix a structural problem.
The stats showed what the eye already knew. Prešov shot 52 per cent from the field compared to Samobor's 38. They won the rebounding battle 42-28 and converted 18 of 25 free throws. The visitors managed just 11 of 18 from the line. Expected points off possessions told the same tale - Prešov generated 1.12 per possession, Samobor 0.84.
Coaching decisions shaped the second half. Prešov's bench added 34 points while Samobor's reserves contributed just 19. The home manager pulled off a stunning save of sorts by rotating through his entire squad, keeping legs fresh and maintaining intensity. Samobor stuck with six players for most of the game.
The result moves Prešov to 2nd place in the standings with four wins from six games. They hold two losses but sit comfortably above the teams chasing them. Samobor remain in the lower half, and this adds to a difficult run that started with that Zadar defeat.
What matters is not the final score but the pattern. Prešov showed they can control games when they switch on defensively. Samobor, by then, had already accepted the gap between them. The EuroCup demands consistency, and neither side can afford to be inconsistent for long.
