Bulgaria grab the win over Switzerland at the U16 European Championship in Division B. Even 35 points from Luka Mandic (195-F-96) were not enough for the Swiss side as they lost to the Bulgarian side 62:63. The latter finished on the 15th place in Bucharest. It was a real thriller in the court and kept the spectators alive until the last seconds. At first Switzerland started with 19-12, but could not win the half. Bulgaria replied with 23-12 in the second frame and took 35:31 lead at the hlaftime after Alex Ouandie (193-G-96)s shot. Mathieu Giroud (185-SF-96) later gave Switzerland 41:40 lead, while Alex Ouandie closed the frame at 48:47. The squads exchanged the lead several more times in the fourth quarter and then Lyubomir Nedkov (193-G-96) scored for 61:61. Lyubomir Nedkov meanwhile scored the last basket for Bulgaria and brought a 1-point win. Alexander Iliev (190-SG-96), Alex Ouandie, Tsanko Kraev (194-F-97) and Lyubomir Nedkov top-scored for the winners with 10 points each. Luka Mandic paced all the Swiss player with 35 points and 12 rebounds. Mathieu Giroud nailed 8, while Mattia Cafisi (181-PG-97) delivered 7 points.
Earl Rowland selected the top Bulgarian playing abroad in last week's games - May 21, 2013
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We bring you last week's top performances from Bulgarians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level. This week's number one is former international guard Earl Rowland (188-83), who plays in Latvia. He could not help VEF Riga (11-7) in their last game. Despite Rowland's very good performance the fourth-placed VEF Riga was crushed 104-82 on the road by the leading Khimky in the group B of VTB United League.
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We bring you last week's top performances from Bulgarians who are playing abroad and who all have had prior experience of national team duties at youth or senior level.
#1. This week's number one is former international guard Earl Rowland (188-83, college: St.Mary's, CA, currently plays in VTB United League), who plays in Latvia. He could not help VEF Riga (11-7) in their last game. Despite Rowland's very good performance the fourth-placed VEF Riga was crushed 104-82 on the road by the leading Khimky in the group B of VTB United League.
He was the top scorer with 20 points. Rowland also added 5 rebounds and dished 3 assists in 25 minutes on the court.
It's Rowland's first season with the team.
Rowland belongs to league's top scorers (ranked #2) and also on the list of best passers (fifth place).
He has individually a very good year with high stats. Rowland averages: 16.3ppg, 5.5rpg, 5.4apg, 1.9spg, 2FGP: 57.3%(125-218), 3FGP: 27.7% and FT: 81.8% in the 23 games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Rowland played for the Bulgarian senior national team two years ago.
Strangely he has never played in Bulgaria.
#2. Second place goes to former international power forward Dejan Ivanov (205-86, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Italy). Ivanov contributed to a Cimberio Varese's victory against the eighth-ranked Umana Venezia (16-14) 84-75 in the Italian SerieA last Saturday.
He scored 10 points and grabbed 9 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Cimberio Varese (23-7) is placed first in the SerieA.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
This year Ivanov's overall stats are: 4.8ppg, 7.0rpg, 1.8spg, 2FGP: 31.6% and FT: 53.8% in the four games.
He played for the Bulgarian national team in 2011.
#3. The Bulgarian player who performed third best last week abroad was former international guard Earl Calloway (191-83, college: Indiana, currently plays in Spain). Calloway was not able to help Unicaja Malaga (18-16) in their game against Regal FC Barcelona (23-11) in the Spanish ACB.
He recorded 5 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Unicaja Malaga was defeated 57-50 in Barcelona by the higher-ranked Regal FC (#3).
They ended the series of four consecutive victories.
The Regular Season already ended.
Calloway's total stats this season are: 6.8ppg, 3.3rpg, 2.1apg, 1.1spg, 2FGP: 44.0%, 3FGP: 29.1% and FT: 84.8%.
He is a naturalized American.
Calloway played for the Bulgarian national team three years ago.
Apparently he has never played in Bulgaria.
#4. An experienced small forward Filip Videnov (196-80, agency: Alti Sport, college: W.Kentucky, currently plays in Turkey), who plays in the Turkish TBL was not able to secure a victory for Olin Edirne (8-22) in their last game. Despite Videnov's very good performance Olin Edirne was crushed 81-60 at home by the much higher-ranked (#5) Karsiyaka.
He was the top scorer with 17 points. Videnov also added 6 rebounds and dished 6 assists in 31 minutes.
The Regular Season already ended.
Videnov has very impressive stats this year: 15.7ppg, 3.7rpg and 3.3apg in the 15 games.
He is also Bulgarian national team player.
#5. International shooting guard Ivan Lilov (196-88, currently plays in Romania) helped Gaz Metan win their game against the 14th-ranked Oradea (0-27) 79-72 in the Romanian Liga Nationala on Monday night.
He scored 10 points in 21 minutes.
CS Gaz Metan Medias (20-10) is placed fifth in the Liga Nationala.
This year Lilov's total stats are: 9.8ppg, 2.9rpg, 2.2apg and 1.2spg in the 21 games.
He plays currently for the Bulgarian national team.
#6. Guard Roderick Blakney (184-76, college: S.Carolina St., currently plays in Spain) couldn't help one of league's weakest teams Cajasol (12-22) in their game against Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (12-22) in the Spanish ACB. Blakney cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 3 points.
Cajasol was defeated 76-68 on their home court in Sevilla by the higher-ranked Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (#14).
The Regular Season already ended.
Blakney has averaged so far 7.1ppg, 1.4rpg and 2.3apg.
He is a naturalized American.
Blakney is a former international player as he played for the Bulgarian senior team six years ago.
Interesting that he has never played in Bulgaria.
#7. Former U20 international guard Georgi Sirakov (186-92, agency: Interperformances, currently plays in Italy), who plays in the Italian Nazionale A (third division) couldn't help Mazzeo San Severo (11-23) in their last game. Despite Sirakov's good performance Mazzeo San Severo lost 61-75 in Ferrara to the higher-ranked (#12) Naturhouse.
He was the second best scorer with 10 points in 20 minutes.
It was Mazzeo San Severo's fourth consecutive loss in a row.
This year Sirakov averages only 8.1ppg in the 35 games.
He used to play for the Bulgarian U20 national team
two years ago.
#8. Forward Aleksandar Georgiev (203-90, also represented by Interperformances, currently plays in Spain) couldn't help Assignia Manresa (6-28) in their game against Valencia Basket (22-12) in the Spanish ACB. Georgiev cannot count Sunday's game as one of the best ones.
He recorded only 2 points.
The bottom-ranked Assignia Manresa was crushed 90-59 in Valencia by the much higher-ranked Basket (#4).
It was Assignia Manresa's fifth consecutive loss in a row.
The Regular Season already ended.
Georgiev has averaged so far 4.1ppg and 2.1rpg.
He plays currently for the Bulgarian national team.
The list of other players, who all have Bulgarian passport but never been selected to any of Bulgarian national teams:
#1.Pero Antic (210-F-82, agency: Beo Basket, currently plays in Greece) contributed to Olympiacos' victory against the 12th-ranked Ilysiakos (7-19) 81-70 in a derby game in the Greek A1 last Thursday.
Antic scored 8 points.
Olympiacos S.F.P. Pireus (25-1) is placed first in the A1.
It was his team's 12th consecutive victory in a row.
They will play only one more game in the Regular Season. And that game will be critical.
Antic's overall stats this season are: 6.3ppg and 3.1rpg.
He has a dual citizenship: FYR Macedonian and Bulgarian.
#2.Kee Kee Clark (180-PG-84, college: St.Peter's, currently plays in Italy) led Umana Venezia to a surprising victory over the league leader Cimberio Varese (23-7) 84-72 in the Italian SerieA on Thursday night.
Clark was MVP of the game. He recorded 18 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists in 35 minutes.
Umana Reyer Venezia (16-14) is placed eighth in the SerieA.
Clark has relatively good stats this year: 14.2ppg, 2.4rpg, 2.6apg and 1.1spg in the 30 games he played so far.
He is a naturalized American.
Apparently Clark has never played in Bulgaria.
#3.Ilian Evtimov (201-F-83, agency: Fusion Sports, college: N.Carolina St., currently plays in France) was the major contributor in Chalon/Saor's victory against the closely-ranked Chorale de Roanne (17-13) 78-68 in the French ProA in Tuesday night's game.
He recorded 14 points and added 6 assists.
ES Chalon-Sur-Saone (18-12) is placed fourth in the ProA.
Evtimov's overall stats this season are: 9.3ppg, 3.2rpg, 2.0apg and 1.3spg.
He is another player who holds two passports: Bulgarian and French.
#4.Dimitar Karadzovski (190-G-84, agency: Global Sports Plaza, currently plays in FYR Macedonia), who plays in the FYR Macedonian Prva Liga could not help Kozuv (7-3) in their last game on Tuesday. Despite Karadzovski's very good performance Kozuv (#2) was defeated 95-87 on the road by the lower-ranked Fersped-Rabotnicki (#3) in the Places 1-6 group.
He was the top scorer with 16 points. Karadzovski also added 4 passes (was perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line).
Karadzovski is currently second on the league's list of best passers.
He has very reliable stats this season: 12.5ppg, 2.5rpg and 3.8apg.
Karadzovski has both Bulgarian and FYR Macedonian nationalities.
Lukoil Academik and Levski Sofia head to the Finals - May 18, 2013
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Lukoil Academik - Rilski Sportist 86-84 (3-2)
The hosts trailed by 7 points after three quarters before their 28-19 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Lukoil Academik forced 21 Rilski Sportist turnovers. American guard Brandon Heath (193-84, college: San Diego St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 6 assists. The former international point guard Bozhidar Avramov (196-90, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 24 points for the winners [read more]
The hosts trailed by 7 points after three quarters before their 28-19 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Lukoil Academik forced 21 Rilski Sportist turnovers. American guard Brandon Heath (193-84, college: San Diego St.) orchestrated the victory by scoring 23 points and 6 assists. The former international point guard Bozhidar Avramov (196-90, agency: Interperformances) contributed with 24 points for the winners. Lukoil Academik's coach Sasho Vezenkov used an eleven-player rotation in such tough game. American point guard Terry Smith (185-86, college: Mercyhurst) answered with 24 points and naturalized Serbian guard Branko Mirkovic (190-82, agency: Global Sports Plaza) added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in the effort for Rilski Sportist. Four Lukoil Academik and five Rilski Sportist players scored in double figures. Top scorers: Lukoil Academik: B.Avramov 24+2reb+2ast, B.Heath 23+2reb+6ast, D.Haritopoulos 12+5reb+2ast, V.Veselinov 11+3reb+1ast, T.Massamba 7+4reb+3ast, B.Popovic 7+4reb+1ast Rilski Sportist: T.Smith 24+4reb+1ast, B.Mirkovic 17+6reb+5ast, T.Gugino 12+8reb, A.Caloiaro 10+6reb+3ast, S.Vaklinov 10+7reb+1ast, H.Zahariev 7+1ast
The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning first half. But Balkan won third quarter 29-9. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. The game was decided in the last minutes when Levski Sofia won last quarter 23-20. Balkan was plagued by 26 personal fouls down the stretch. Serbian point guard Marko Marinovic (183-83) stepped up and scored 25 points and 6 assists for the winners and Serbian center Mladen Pantic (209-82, agency: Alti Sport) chipped in 12 points and 6 rebounds. Levski Sofia's coach Konstantin Papazov used entire bench in such tough game. Serbian forward Vladimir Panic (194-82) responded with 14 points and 7 rebounds and the former international guard Jordan Bozov (191-79, agency: Global Sports Plaza) scored 14 points and 6 assists. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. Top scorers: Levski Sofia: M.Marinovic 25+2reb+6ast, N.Protic 14+1reb+1ast, M.Pantic 12+6reb, D.Anguelov 8+4reb, P.Ivanov 7+4reb+1ast, C.Kostov 5+3reb+2ast Balkan: B.Jovovic 15+4reb, J.Bozov 14+3reb+6ast, V.Panic 14+7reb+3ast, U.Petrovic 13+5reb+2ast, M.Marinov 7+1reb+2ast, S.Marinov 6+1reb+2ast
Balkan and Rilski Sportist tied the Semifinals at 2-2 - May 15, 2013
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Balkan - Levski Sofia 92-80 (2-2)
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch [read more]
The game was mostly controlled by Balkan. Levski Sofia was better in second period 29-24. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. They made 27-of-34 charity shots (79.4 percent) during the game. Levski Sofia was plagued by 30 personal fouls down the stretch. Worth to mention a great performance of the former international guard Jordan Bozov (191-79, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 22 points and 6 rebounds and Serbian forward Vladimir Panic (194-82) who added 20 points and 7 rebounds (made all of his eight free throws) during the contest. Four Balkan players scored in double figures. At the losing side Serbian point guard Marko Marinovic (183-83) responded with 26 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists and Serbian center Mladen Pantic (209-82, agency: Alti Sport) scored 14 points and 7 rebounds. Levski Sofia's coach Konstantin Papazov rotated eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Top scorers: Balkan: J.Bozov 22+6reb+3ast, V.Panic 20+7reb+3ast, A.Santos 14+6reb+2ast, S.Marinov 14+4reb+5ast, U.Petrovic 9+1reb+2ast, S.Slaveykov 9+2reb Levski Sofia: M.Marinovic 26+5reb+4ast, M.Pantic 14+7reb, C.Kostov 9+2reb+5ast, N.Varbanov 8+7reb, P.Ivanov 5+1reb+1ast, D.Anguelov 4+2reb
Rilski Sportist made 27-of-31 free shots (87.1 percent) during the game. 26 personal fouls committed by Lukoil Academik helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of naturalized Serbian guard Branko Mirkovic (190-82, agency: Global Sports Plaza) who helped to win the game recording 36 points (!!!) and 8 assists. American-Italian forward Angelo Caloiaro (203-89, college: USF) contributed with a double-double by scoring 11 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. American center Darryl Watkins (211-84, college: Syracuse) replied with a double-double by scoring 19 points and 13 rebounds and his fellow American import guard Brandon Heath (193-84, college: San Diego St.) added 27 points in the effort for Lukoil Academik. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Top scorers: Rilski Sportist: B.Mirkovic 36+1reb+8ast, T.Smith 19+2reb+1ast, A.Caloiaro 11+11reb+2ast, S.Vaklinov 11+4reb+1ast, H.Zahariev 8+1reb+4ast, T.Gugino 6+11reb+1ast Lukoil Academik: B.Heath 27+2ast, D.Watkins 19+13reb+1ast, B.Popovic 16+2reb+5ast, D.Haritopoulos 15+6reb+1ast, T.Stoykov 6+3reb+1ast, P.Marinov 3+4reb
Levski Sofia: took 2nd place (5-3) in Group A of the First Stage, took 1st
place (11-3) in Group C of the Second Stage, lost to Galil Gilboa (ISR) 79-87 in
the Final !!!
Rilski Sportist: took 1st place (5-3) in Group B of the First Stage, took
3rd place (8-6) in Group C of the Second Stage, lost to Levski 74-84 in the
Semifinals !!!
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