Benetton has won the first game in Euroleague in a rather unusual way: 20 points ahead at the beginning of the last period becamed only 4 after less than five minutes. Great Hapoel hoping for a miracle right till the end, as per israelian philosophy. A strange game, really. First two minutes full of fastbreaks but mistakes as well and then it was really show-time for Benetton. Strong in defence, where everyone is quick at anticipating the opponent, over all in the perimetre, Treviso hipnotizes Hapoel unable to see the basket and gives ball into the paint. Rankin challenges Nicola to shoot triple and the spanish-argentinian forward has no hesitation: 8-2 at 4' and 21-2 even at 8'. Israelian players lose 8 balls in the first quarter, closing the time with 10 points (27 Benetton), 8 in the last 100 seconds when Treviso coach has already put on the court 9 of his ten players. In the second quarter Zvi Sherf, as expert and smart coach, calls the zone (the 2.20 Popa at the centre) to try and block the total superiority of home team, the match under the basket is more balanced but it's not enough to change numbers on the scoreboard: Treviso tonight is almost a machine and Bucchi can give plenty of time to Marconato and Tomidy, the two bigmen still not in the best shape. But Hapoel didn't want to go to the showers without working hardly and improved its intensity in defence building some fastbreaks that oblige Pittis & c. not to rest. Peleg is dangerous from outside and finds triple, Tony Dorsey does not spare any space let free to him: 20-34 at 5'. Slowly Hapoel re-enters the game but it's a real tough job: Naumoski (a Nba-style triple, from more than 7 meters) sends Hapoel to talk over in the pause with 20 points down, 47-27. With such a great advantage Benneton could even play reserves and still win the game.