Both teams started nervously, committing fouls (8 in 6 minutes). Taller than their rivals in the paint, the Russians didn?t manage to take advantage of it because Charleroi was much more explosive. In fact, St. Petersburg seemed to miss the pace of the game. That sensation started to be translated to the scoreboard when Batiste smashed an assist of Ellis: 13-10 in the 7th minute. Brown, the American guard of Charleroi, hadn't missed anyhting at this time: 8 points and 2 assists. Jerome was then launched, helping his team in the offensive rebound, the fact that explained the difference at the end of the first quarter: 23-19. Charleroi now took advantage of the hesitating Russians, who didn't manage to shoot twice in a row. Only Hamilton (10 points before the half) succeeded to penetrate efficiently. Batiste and Jerome made a good job under the rim and Ellis, shy till this moment, showed his nose. Charleroi was now dominating the game: 48-39 in the half time.

Jennings catching an offensive rebound and Ellis coping with his third foult: Charleroi had to stay concetrated. Brown, showed his team the way by fast breaks that Batiste used to make the gap bigger: 60-49. But then the zone defense of the Russians brought huge problems to the Belgian forwards who transformed none of their 6 attemps. Charleroi had also problems with the fouls, three players (Jerome, Thiry and Desy) having four. St-Petersbourg got as near as 4 points (65-61 at the 34th minute). But Dewilde at three gave him confidence, what make Charleroi able to get a comfortable advantage till the end of the match.