With a crowd of 1800 spectators at Palabasket Bellinzona, the Lugano Snakes won 75-74 their debut game against KK Zadar. After five minutes, coach Vanjak called for the first time out with 6-2 for the Snakes. Lugano kept on running and playing a tough defence, and with three streak fastbreaks led 14-7 with seven minutes to play. The Croatian team came back thanks to Ivica Maric and the first quarter ended with Lugano leading 21-18 with two free throws scored by Michael Polite. After three mintes, Ivica Maric stole a ball and scored his fifteenth point allowing his team to lead 23-29. The home team played an effective 3-2 zone and with the three pointers from Richand Mrazek took the lead again: 34-33 with three minutes on the clock for the break. Two twenty-four seconds violations by Zadar and an offensive rebound from Stevic, put an end to the first half with Lugano leading 38-37. Maric was the top scorer with 14 points for the Croatian team and Rich with 16 points for the Snakes. Fourth foul by Maric after just two minutes in the third quarter, when with an excellent man to man defense and two streak three pointers by Stevic gained six points of advantage (50-44). Jurica Ruzic with a three pointer from the corner tied the game at 52, two free throws by Patrick Koller for Lugano showed his team the way to the end of the third quarter leading 54-52. Five points by Patrick Baldwin and a three points play, gave KK Zadar an important advantage (56-62) with 6:26 on the clock. Matthews put the Snakes on the lead again, 68-66, with less than three minutes to go. Baldwin tied on 70, Matthews missed two free throws, but Lugano controlled the rebound. Many mistakes, and a three point shot by Jameil Rich with just 52 seconds to go for the 73-70 for the Snakes. Maric scored one free throw, Rich missed an easy lay-up, Jurica Ruzic scored a three-pointer (73-74). With only five seconds to go there was a foul on Riche that had two free throws to shoot. The American player missed both but Mike Polite scored after grabbing the offensive rebound for the final 75-74. MVP of the game was Jameil Rich who scored 29 points.