|
|
*** ALBANIAN MEN BASKETBALL MAIN PAGE ***
 | Kurtoglu top-scores for his team | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Feb 21, 2008 | |  | Albanian Ermal Kurtoglu (207-C-80) and his Efes Pilsen fought bravely but fell just short to Montepschi Siena in overtime of Euroleague. It was the first loss for Efes Pilsen at this stage of the tournament. Efes Pilsen playing at the Abdi Ipekci Sports Hall claimed a narrow 13:12 lead after the opening frame and stretched it to 30:19 in the second term. But Bootsy Thornton scored 6 points in a 9:0 run to erase the deficit to 2 points at 28:30. Eze then tied the scoreline at 30 with seconds past in the third term. Montepschi took over and started to build their lead. Romain Sato capped the frame with a jumper to give the visitors a 49:44 lead after three quarters of action. Scoonie Penn and Ermal Kurtoglu regained the lead for Efes Pilsen early in the fourth term with a couple of treys. The game remained close throughout the fourth period and Terrell McIntyre connected from downtown to make it 69:69 with under a minute to play in regulation. No team was able to deliver at the crunch time and the game moved into overtime. Romain Sato opened the extra period with a three-pointer but it was matched by Drew Nicholas and Scoonie Penn as Efes Pilsen remained in driving seat. Ksystof Lavrinovic once again tied things up at 76 with free throws. Ksystof Lavrinovic got fouled again and converted two more free throws to spur Montepaschi in front. Drew Nicholas failed to deliver, while Bootsy Thornton was accurate to stretch Siena's lead. Efes Pilsen had enough time to get to Siena but missed decisive shots and lost the battle. Ermal Kurtoglu produced 20 points and 7 boards for the hosts. Andre Hutson scored 14 points for Efes Pilsen. Bootsy Thornton had 18 points for Montepaschi.
Claudio Ndoja (198-G/F-85) 's Capo D'Orlando overcame Lottomatica Roma 82:71. |
|
|
|
| Albania knocked down | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Oct 22, 2007 | | | In the second day of the SouthEastern European Games in Thessaloniki, Bulgarian Juniors (U 18) national team defeated their opponents from Albania with 81-67 (31-8, 14-19, 18-23, 19-17).
After the disastrous loss from our neighbours Turkey yesterday by 21 points, today the players of head coach Yulian Aladzhov came out highly motivated and deserved that win. The Bulgarians performed marvelous during the first quarter (31-8), crushing the outsiders from Albania. Until the end of the fight they did not have any problems and it was clear for everyone in the gym who the winner would be. The Albanians tried to change the situation on the court, but they had strengths only for a 14-point-difference.
For the team of Bulgaria, the best again was Aleksander Aleksandar Yanev (198-F-90) who scored 28 points. Kyosev added 21, while Marincheshki and Zhelev finished with 15 points each.
For Albania, Florian Ismeti scored 23 points and his teammate Tzani made 21.
The other game from preliminary group A today is Turkey versus Montenegro. Tomorrow our guys will play the last game of the first stage of the competition. At 17.00h they face their coevals from Montenegro.
ALBANIA (U 18) - BULGARIA (U 18) 67-81 (8-31, 19-14, 23-18, 17-19)
ALBANIA (U 18): Isak 7, Lucha 0, Tsela 11, Tzani 21, Birtse 0, Sikelucay 0, Arra 2, Dontaz 3, Florian Ismeti 23
BULGARIA (U 18): Hristov 0, Aleksandar Yanev 28, Aleksandrov 2, Zhelev 15, Kyosev 21, Durchev 0, Lapadzhov 0, Marincheshki 15, Vuchkov 3
Courtesy of: http://bulgarianbasket.com |
|
|
|
| Albanian National Team 2007 | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Slovakia beats Albania for the 4th win in Division B | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Aug 30, 2007 | | | Albania - Slovakia 63:93
Slovakian National team continued to chase the first spot in Group B of the Eurobasket Division B. They overcame Albania yesterday and improved to 4-3 record just behind Netherlands in the ladder. Albania meawhile suffered their sixth straight loss and remained at the bottom of the standings.
Albania tried to keep it close at the start of the encounter but consecutive long bombs from Stefan Svitek and Daniel Novak (201-F/G-78, agency: Interperformances) cleared off Slovakia to a 20:11 distance late in the first frame. Slovakia held on to the distance throughout the second quarter and capped the first half with 7:2 run to lead 45:30 at halftime.
Radoslav Rancik (207-F/C-78, college: St.Cloud St.) dropped a basket 6 minutes into the second half to mark a 59:39 dominance for Slovakia. They never allowed Albania to come closer in the final term and celebrated a comprehensive victory at the end.
Radoslav Rancik topscored for Slovakia with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Juraj Gavlak (185-G-79) scored 13 points in a winning effort. Sokol Kasmi (198-G-80) answered with 18 points for Albania. Afrim Bilali (198-G-79) and Gerti Shima (205-C/F-86) nailed 10 points apiece in a loss.
Slovakia shot 40% from the field and 76% from free throw line. They managed to outrebound home team 42:31 and forced them to 21 turnovers.
Albania will travel to England on September 1. Slovakia hosts Belarus on the same day.
Albania: Sokol Kasmi 18, Afrim Bilali 10, Gerti Shima 10
Slovakia: Radoslav Rancik 19+10 boards, Juraj Gavlak 13 |
|
|
|
| Belarus trounces Albania in Eurobasket Division B | |
|
|
by Eurobasket News - Aug 25, 2007 | | | Belarus - Albania 87:45
Belarussian National team secured their fourth victory in the Eurobasket Divion B action. They handled Albania today and imroved to 4-2 record. The win also means they climbed on top of the ladder in the Group at least until Netherlands played their encounter against Slovakia today. Albania meanwhile suffered the 5th straight loss and remained at the bottom of the standings.
The start of the game was a bit rough as both teams could not convert a single shot for more than two minutes. Finally Albania claimed the first three points and grabbed an early lead. But Belarus quickly responded with 9:0 run to surge in front. Pavel Ulyanko (204-F/C-79) nailed two three pointers and Veremeyenko added another 5 points to lift Belarus to a 22:7 distance early in the second quarter. Belarus controlled the tempo and stayed at a safe distance throughout the second frame. They led by as many as 17 points at halftime 41:24.
Puntsikau three pointer early in the third stanza marked a 47:26 lead for Belarussian team. They would never looked back further on. The home side established a 63:34 gap at the end of three terms and cruised to a confident victory at the end.
Pavel Ulyanko topscored for Belarus with 15 points. Alexander Koul (215-C-75, agency: Court Side, college: George Washington) added 13 points and 9 boards for the winners. Albania replied with 14 points from Sokol Kasmi (198-G-80). Eni Cuka (188-G-86, college: Niagara) had 8 points and 6 boards.
Belarus outrebounded the visitors 46:35 and limited them to just 31% from two point range and 29% from beyond the arc.
Belarus: Pavel Ulyanko 15, Alexander Koul 13+9 boards
Albania: Sokol Kasmi 14, Eni Cuka 8+6 boards |
|
|
|
| Eurobasket.com All-Albanian League Awards 2007 | |
|
|
|
| Valbona wins the championship title | |
|
| | | The Play-Off Finals:
SECOND MATCH, 18th May 2007
VALBONA - TIRANA 66-68
The second Play-off game between the two finalist teams Valbona - Tirana was characterized by a hard athletic competition. Valbona in fact lead during the first three periods, but in the fourth period, the most beautiful one, the game was equalized. 4 sec. Before the end of the match Valbona lead 66-65. Tirana got three free throws because of a personal fault in behalf of Valbona player. Tirana executes all three free throws as a result the chances go back to Tirana team 66-68. The general result goes to 2-0 for Tirana.
THIRD MATCH, 22nd May 2007
TIRANA - VALBONA 62-66
The third Play-off game between Tirana and Valbona changes the general result in 2-1 in favor of Tirana. The players of Valbona played better than in the first two matches and won the first match from three organized games.
FOURTH MATCH, 25th May 2007
VALBONA - TIRANA 58-57
The fourth game between these two finalist teams resulted in a complete change of the situation; Valbona and Tirana draw in 2-2. Valbona won by one point the fourth Play-offs games after a hard and emotional match. The last point signed in the free throws line by Valbona player concluded the match in favor of Valbona team that now seems to have more chances for the championship.
FIFTH MATCH, 29th May 2007
TIRANA - VALBONA 67-74
Valbona overthrow the general result from 2-0 in favor of Tirana, in 2-3 for Valbona. This team won the fifth Play-offs game celebrating the fifth Championship title. |
|
|
| Tirana Wins game 1 of Finals .. More to come | |
|
| | | Tirana - Valbona 83-71 (1-0)
(21-23, 18-15, 17-17, 27-16)
TIRANA: E.Karaj (21), Kasmi (12), Mema (17), Garo (16), Begaj (17) / Ago, Hasani, Vogli, Selmani, Jani, Disha, Paloka. Trajner: R. Avrami
VALBONA: Pejic (3), Bilali (19), Berisha (7), Dedvukaj (18), Mitku (20) / Stevovic (2), Vojvodic, Gjonaj, E.Ismeti (2), Madani, Ivezaj, E.llazani. Trajner: K.Llazani |
|
|
| Weekend results and final standings | |
|
| | |
Partizani (94) - Flamurtatri (60)
Valbona (93) - Vllaznia (67)
Pogradeci (72) - Studenti (90)
Skenderbeu (76) - Teuta (91)
Shkodra (86) - Apolonia (72)
Dinamo (118) - Elbasani (68)
Tirana had a by
Tirana 23-1
Valbona 22-2
Dinamo 20-4
Partizani 18-6
Vllaznia 16-8
Studenti 14-10
Shkodra 11-13
Teuta 10-14
Pogradeci 9-15
Apolonia 5-18
Skenderbeu 3-20
Flamurtari 2-22
Elbasani 2-22
Playoff Bracket
1. Tirana VS. 4. Partizani
2. Valbona VS. 3. Dinamo
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
