Slovenia U20 - Georgia U20 91:82 (OT)
Slovenian U20 National Team made a huge step towards securing their spot in Division A of the European Championship for the next year. They earned their second straight win at the Classification round of the European Championship in Latvia to remain on top of Group G. Slovenia outsmarted Georgia today sending their opponents to 0-2 record on the cusp of being relegated to Division B.
Slovenia U20 - Georgia U20 91:82 (OT)
Slovenian U20 National Team made a huge step towards securing their spot in Division A of the European Championship for the next year. They earned their second straight win at the Classification round of the European Championship in Latvia to remain on top of Group G. Slovenia outsmarted Georgia today sending their opponents to 0-2 record on the cusp of being relegated to Division B. The game turned into a dramatic battle with both sides throwing all they had for the win. Slovenia were a bit better in the opening term as Mirko Mulalic (195-F-88) gave them a 21:17 lead ten minutes into the encounter. The teams kept it close throughout the second frame before Zoran Dragic (195-G-89) scored 8 points late in the period and allowed Slovenia to enjoy a 44:35 advantage at sides change. Slovenia maintained the gap in the third period and entered the fourth stanza ahead by 8. The margin grew to 11 points midway through the final term and Slovenia seemed well in control. But Levan Shengelia (205-F/C-90) and Matiashvili fueled a desperate comeback effort from Georgia and they surged in front 76:75 with 56 seconds left in regulation. Gaprindashvili gave Georgia a 77:75 lead with 12 seconds left but Slovenia survived. Jakob Virk (201-F/C-89) was fouled and drained both freebies to force extra time. Mirko Mulalic opened the overtime with 5 straight points and Slovenia never looked back en route to a dramatic victory. Zoran Dragic paced Slovenia with 30 points, 8 boards, 6 assists and 4 steals. Mirko Mulalic had 22 points, while Dejan Cigoja (204-F/C-88, agency: Interperformances) added 12 for the winners. Levan Shengelia responded with 25 points and 9 rebounds for Georgia. Beka Tsivtsivadze (189-G-89) secured 15 points in defeat.
Bulgaria U20 - Georgia U20 90:75
Chavdar Kostov (196-G-88, agency: Interperformances) stepped up with 26 points and 7 rebounds for Bulgaria as they knocked down Georgia in the classification round of U20 European Championship in Latvia today. Bulgaria dominated the game and crafted a solid win that allowed them one step closer to securing the spot in Division A for the next year.
Bulgaria U20 - Georgia U20 90:75
Chavdar Kostov (196-G-88, agency: Interperformances) stepped up with 26 points and 7 rebounds for Bulgaria as they knocked down Georgia in the classification round of U20 European Championship in Latvia today. Bulgaria dominated the game and crafted a solid win that allowed them one step closer to securing the spot in Division A for the next year. Georgia in the meantime was not helped by a pivotal performance from Giorgi Shermadini (216-C-89, agency: Life Sports). The center tallied 24 points, 13 boards and 6 blocks but could not help his side from falling. Beka Tsivtsivadze (189-G-89) put Georgia in charge with a three-pointer early in the game but it was the last time Georgia led in the game. Bulgaria answered with a 9:0 run and drove to a 24:14 lead after the starting period. Ivan Lilov (196-F/G-88, agency: FCM) scored five points in a row for Bulgaria midway through the second term and they cleared off to a 14-point distance. Soon the gap grew to 20 points before Giorgi Shermadini and Giorgi Gulisabedashvili (194-G-88, agency: Court Side) trimmed it to 15 at the interval. Bulgaria kept Georgia at safe distance throughout the third period and entered the final quarter ahead by 17. Chavdar Kostov and Pavel Marinov (196-G-88) quickly extended the margin to 21 points and Bulgaria never looked back in the fourth frame. Pavel Marinov secured 22 points for Bulgaria. Ivan Lilov added 14 points and 9 assists for the winners. Richard Matiashvili (209-C-89) had 18 points and 9 boards for Georgia. Shengelia contributed 10 points in a losing effort. Bulgaria sank 52% from the field and forced their opponents to 18 turnovers.
Israel U20 - Georgia U20 84:80
Israeli U20 National Team scored a decisive victory in their hunt for the Qualifying round birth yesterday. They defeated Georgia to occupy the third spot in the preliminary Group B and stayed in the title race at the European Championship. It was do-or-die battle for both teams and tension filled the air. Israel looked a bit better in the starting frame as they piled up a 19:12 lead almost 8 minutes into the game.
Israel U20 - Georgia U20 84:80 Israeli U20 National Team scored a decisive victory in their hunt for the Qualifying round birth yesterday. They defeated Georgia to occupy the third spot in the preliminary Group B and stayed in the title race at the European Championship. It was do-or-die battle for both teams and tension filled the air. Israel looked a bit better in the starting frame as they piled up a 19:12 lead almost 8 minutes into the game. Sean Daniel (200-F-89, agency: Arik Krayn Services) capped the first period with a three-pointer and Israel led 25:17 after ten minutes of action. Gal Mekel (195-G-88) and Anton Shoutvin (205-C/F-89) kept Israel ahead throughout the second quarter however Georgia managed to cut the deficit late in the half. Levan Shengelia (205-F/C-90) and Giorgi Gulisabedashvili (194-G-88, agency: Court Side) teamed up for 8 points and Georgia trailed by just 2 points at the interval. The lead changed hands for five times in the third stanza and the teams entered the fourth term all square at 65. Israel tipped off the fourth quarter with an 8:0 run to regain the lead. Georgia kept at a striking distance and drew things level with just over 2 minutes remaining. Gal Mekel and Beka Tsivtsivadze (189-G-89) exchanged the baskets and then Giorgi Shermadini (216-C-89, agency: Life Sports) put Georgia in front with a free throw. Israel refused to fold as Gal Mekel fired from downtown to give them an 82:80 advantage. Giorgi Gulisabedashvili missed his trey and Gal Mekel sealed the win from the charity stripe. Gal Mekel paced Israel with 21 points, 10 boards and 8 assists. Anton Shoutvin added 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Sean Daniel and Ahiad Bukra (205-F/C-88, agency: Arik Krayn Services) scored 12 points apiece in a win. Levan Shengelia answered with 23 points and 10 boards for Georgia. Giorgi Shermadini tallied 21 points and 13 caroms in defeat.
Georgia U18 - Belarus U18 86:66
Nika Metreveli (212-C-91, agency: Interperformances) and Beqa Chikviladze (195-G-91) notched 20 points apiece and Georgia finished their U18 European Championship in Division B campaign with victory. Today they defeated Belarus to clinch the 13th spot in Debrecen. Belarus were not saved by a 16-point tally from Uladzimir Krysevich (205-C-91) and wrapped up the tournament at the 14th spot. Georgia kept control over the encounter right from the start.
Georgia U18 - Belarus U18 86:66
Nika Metreveli (212-C-91, agency: Interperformances) and Beqa Chikviladze (195-G-91) notched 20 points apiece and Georgia finished their U18 European Championship in Division B campaign with victory. Today they defeated Belarus to clinch the 13th spot in Debrecen. Belarus were not saved by a 16-point tally from Uladzimir Krysevich (205-C-91) and wrapped up the tournament at the 14th spot. Georgia kept control over the encounter right from the start. They built a 20:17 advantage after the starting period and opened the second one on an 11:2 run. Georgia rolled confidently and established a 39:30 advantage at the interval. Viktar Ausepian (200-F-91) dragged Belarus within 6 points from their opponents but Georgia quickly struck back. They posted an 8:0 run to take some breathing space and never looked back again. Georgian team entered the fourth term up by 16 points and breezed past their opponents in the final quarter. Tariel Tavartkiladze (193-G-91) contributed 12 points for the winners. Aliaksandr Hrumiantsau (202-F-91) and Viktar Ausepian netted 10 points apiece for Belarus. Georgia outrebounded their opponents 45:34, while both teams committed too many turnovers. Georgia accounted for 27 and Belarus suffered 26 mistakes. Georgia in the meantime converted 53% from the field and limited Belarusian team to 41%.
Georgia U20 - Italy U20 70:63
Georgian U20 National Team scored an emphatic win over Italy in the second round of action at the European Championship. Giorgi Shermadini (216-C-89, agency: Life Sports) knocked down 23 points to pace Georgian side. Italy meanwhile suffered their first loss after they took care of Israel in the starting encounter. Italian team got to a better start as they led 22:19 after the starting period.
Georgia U20 - Italy U20 70:63
Georgian U20 National Team scored an emphatic win over Italy in the second round of action at the European Championship. Giorgi Shermadini (216-C-89, agency: Life Sports) knocked down 23 points to pace Georgian side. Italy meanwhile suffered their first loss after they took care of Israel in the starting encounter. Italian team got to a better start as they led 22:19 after the starting period. The lead changed hands for 5 times throughout the second term before Gulisabedashvili hit a three-pointer and allowed Georgia to hold a 38:37 advantage at the interval. Tsivtisivadze and Giorgi Shermadini fueled a 6:0 run from Georgia midway through the third period as they gained an 8-point advantage. Georgia maintained the margin and entered the fourth term up by 6 points 58:52. Lorenzo D'Ercole (190-G-88) and Giuri cut the deficit to just two points with under four minutes left but Georgia survived. Shengelia and Giorgi Shermadini were deadly from the stripe and Georgia ran away with a confident victory at the end. Giorgi Shermadini added 11 boards to his tally. He was well helped by 18 points from Beka Tsivtsivadze (189-G-89) and 13 points from Giorgi Gaprindashvili (188-G-88). Lorenzo D'Ercole led Italy with 20 points. Pietro Aradori (192-G-88) notched 14 points in defeat. Georgia outrebounded their opponents
