BELGRADE, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Euroleague debutants Karsiyaka Izmir lit up the opening day of the season with a 71-62 home win over twice former winners Barcelona while CSKA Moscow blew away Maccabi Tel Aviv 100-69 in a heavyweight clash on Thursday.
Red Star Belgrade also made a perfect start with an 81-59 home rout of Strasbourg on the back of 18 points and seven rebounds from German centre Maik Zirbes.
Having beaten more fancied local rivals to win the Turkish league title last season, Karsiyaka continued to punch above their weight against formidable opposition.
Forward Colton Iverson racked up 16 points and eight rebounds as the home side pulled away in the third quarter, when they outscored Barcelona 25-11.