Basquet Girona — Dinamo Bucharest: 87:75, FIBA Europe Cup

Girona saw off Dinamo Bucharest 87:75 in the FIBA Europe Cup on Tuesday evening. The hosts opened their campaign with a comfortable margin, though the visitors made their presence felt throughout. By then, anyone watching would have noticed the game was already slipping away from Bucharest.

Eighty-seven points on the board for Girona, and they did not need to chase the game for long. Dinamo came out sharp, but their shooting dropped at the crucial moments. And here's the thing about these European nights: the teams that stay composed tend to win, even when they are not at their best.

The statistics tell a story of control. Girona pulled down 37 rebounds to Dinamo's 25, and their 38 field goal attempts from beyond the arc yielded 11. Bucharest managed only eight from 24 attempts. The hosts also forced 19 turnovers while committing 14 themselves, which is often where these games are decided.

Dinamo had been on a steady run before arriving in Catalonia. They beat Peja twice, and even pushed SKM Craiova close in their last meeting. But this was a different standard of opposition. To be fair, they did not fold immediately, and the scoreline could have been wider.

Girona's recent form has been mixed. They lost heavily to Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz on Friday, and have seen wins and losses in their last five outings. Still, this result puts them in a better position for what comes next. They kept their heads after the early round of fixtures.