The bad news came from Serbian senior National Team. Darko Milicic (212-C-85) of Memphis Grizzlies won't be able to help his teammates on the upcoming Eurobasket 2009 Qualifications. Namely, due to Achilles injury Milicic already missed strong tournament in Moscow as well as a Diamond Ball in Nanjing.
The bad news came from Serbian senior National Team. Darko Milicic (212-C-85) of Memphis Grizzlies won't be able to help his teammates on the upcoming Eurobasket 2009 Qualifications. Namely, due to Achilles injury Milicic already missed strong tournament in Moscow as well as a Diamond Ball in Nanjing. Head coach of the Team Serbia Dusan Ivkovic announced that the best solution for both sides is that Milicic leave NT camp in order to recover as soon as possible for his future obligations with the Grizzlies.
'Milicic suffered inconvenient Achilles injury on July 20. Despite it he traveled with us to Moscow and to Nanjing but he wasn't able to play. Therapies helped him but not as much as we expected. The last check we had yesterday but we decided that it is better for him to leave NT and focus on recovering. Most probably he will he ready to play very soon but the problem is that Eurobasket 2009 Qualification starts in two weeks and he for sure won't be 100% ready for it. We agreed together that the best possible solution is to find a replacement for him on position number 5. NT doctors will be on line with Milicic in order to help him recover asap' - said Dusan Ivkovic.
Serbian National Team is currently in city of Kovilovo where it prepares for the very important upcoming event. Serbia is placed into Group A for together with Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and Finland. In the first round, which is scheduled for August 20, Italy will host Serbia. Basketball fans in Serbia will have an opportunity to watch their team their country on August 27 against Hungary. Two best teams from this group will automatically advance to the Eurobasket 2009. Third and fourth ranked teams will have a chance to do the same through the Additional Qualifying Round while the weakest team of Group A will fight for the survival in A division.
Final
Azerbaijan - Moldova 80:78
Azerbaijan clinched the European Championship title defending their 2006 campaign success. They needed to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit to grab a dramatic victory over Moldova in yesterdays final. Moldova looked impressive throughout the tournament and proved their ambitions early in the contest as Eugeniu Scripcaru (205-F-83) and Melinic put them in front.
Final
Azerbaijan - Moldova 80:78 Azerbaijan clinched the European Championship title defending their 2006 campaign success. They needed to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit to grab a dramatic victory over Moldova in yesterdays final. Moldova looked impressive throughout the tournament and proved their ambitions early in the contest as Eugeniu Scripcaru (205-F-83) and Melinic put them in front. They both teamed up for 15 out of 24 Moldovan points in the first frame to keep Azerbaijan at a 7-point distance. Tahir Bakhshiyev (199-F-82) and Anar Sariyev (196-G-81) knocked down back-to-back baskets to open the second stanza. Moldova responded with consecutive three-pointers from Rulevski and Maxim Rusu (196-G-88) to stay ahead. Eugeniu Scripcaru's jump shot late in the first half marked a 16-point lead for Moldova. However Davit Barbakadze (204-F-82) and Kitayev dropped two three-pointers to finalize the half with Azerbaijan trailing by 10. Tahir Bakhshiyev scored 8 points early in the third quarter and Azerbaijan cut the deficit to 6 points. But Maxim Rusu kept Moldova alert as they led by 7 points at the end of the third frame. Anar Sariyev and Fedorenco traded treys to start the final quarter and then Fedorenco nailed another one to make task hardly achievable for Azerbaijan. But the team never surrendered. Davit Barbakadze completed a three-point play following his layup, while Fuad Niftaliyev (178-G-80) drained a three-pointer and Azerbaijan clipped the distance to 4 points. Then Slozhenitsin nailed 4 straight points to square things up at 76 with just over two minutes remaining. Fuad Niftaliyev fired form downtown as Azerbaijan surged in front 79:76 with over a minute left. Eugeniu Scripcaru came up with a jumper to shave the difference to minimum. However Tcaci committed a turnover and Fuad Niftaliyev sealed the winning outcome from charity stripe. Tahir Bakhshiyev finished the game with 25 points and 8 boards to pace Azerbaijan. Fuad Niftaliyev delivered 15 points, while Anar Sariyev and Davit Barbakadze had 14 points apiece in a win. Eugeniu Scripcaru delivered 25 points and 14 boards for Moldova. Maxim Rusu had 16 points in a losing effort. Azerbaijan were outrebounded 35:41 but forced Moldovan players to 19 turnovers.
Scotland - Andorra 90:76 Scottish National team thumped Andorra to claim the third overall spot at the European championship in Division C held in Edinburgh. Scotland rebounded after a bitter loss in the semifinals to stun Andorra en route to Bronze medals. Andorra got to a flying start as Marin and De Oliveira built a 6:0 lead. But Murray and Collins came up with 12 points for Scotland to put the hosts in charge 12:10. The teams traded baskets before Andrew Stevens (188-G-85) nailed a jumper to cap the frame at 18:17 lead for Scottish side. Andrew Stevens added two more trebles early in the second period to give Scotland 26:19 advantage. Later Keith Bunyan (191-G-77) drilled straight trebles to make it 38:27. Keith Bunyan would not stop bombarding the basket from beyond the arc as his third trey in the period marked a 41:30 lead for the home team. Xavier Galera (182-G-82) crowned the first half with a three-pointer for Andorra to trail by 8 points. Trebles frenzy continued in the second half as Murray twice and Laurie Costello (188-G-82) connected from downtown for Scotland to accumulate a 52:39 advantage. Laurie Costello and Anderson finalized the third period outcome at 69:53 for the hosts. Scotland wisely kept their opponents at bay throughout the final frame and celebrated a comfortable win at the end. Andrew Stevens nailed 14 points for Scotland. Keith Bunyan added 13 points, while Laurie Costello finished with 12 for the winning side. Francesco Sansa (183-F-79) dropped 19 points for Andorra. Xavier Galera delivered 13 in a losing effort. Scotland repeated the success of 2004, 2002 and 2000 campaigns when they also grabbed Bronze medals. Andorra were third in 2006 following their successful Golden trips in 1998, 2000 and 2004.
San Marino - Gibraltar 77:64 San Marino clinched the 5th spot at the European Championship in Division C today. They overcame Gibraltar in Edinburgh to complete their campaign with a 3-2 record. Gibraltar got to a fast start of the encounter as Guerrero and David Garcia (205-F-76) put them ahead 9:3. But Emanuele Crescentini (198-F-83) kept San Marino in contest and they finally grabbed their first lead of the game following Flavio Bottiroli (194-G/F-77)s layup 17:16. The teams finished the first half all square at 23. The lead changed hands for 7 times throughout the second period before Stefano Rossini (183-G-74) nailed a three-pointer to cap the first half with San Marino leading 42:41. Tentoni and Flavio Bottiroli stretched the gap to 9 points early in the third stanza as San Marino took over. Tentoni and Andrea Raschi (198-G/F-79) soon marked a double-digit advantage for San Marino. Ugolini and Emanuele Crescentini crowned the frame with back-to-back treys to make the cushion looked comfortable at 65:51. David Garcia scored 5 straight points for Gibraltar to drag them within 10 points early in the fourth quarter. David Garcia later added 4 more points and Gibraltar appeared just 7 points behind with less than 3 minutes left. Emanuele Crescentini converted a vital layup for San Marino to silence Gibraltar. San Marino withstood at the end to celebrate victory. Emanuele Crescentini nailed 26 points to pace San Marino. Andrea Raschi secured 15 points and 8 boards for the winners. David Garcia answered with 22 points and 13 boards for Gibraltar. Guerrero had 11 points in a losing effort.
Malta - Wales 84:67 Maltese National team did not leave Scotland winless. They registered their first win at the tournament beating Wales today in the clash for the 7th overall spot. The teams entered the contest exchanging the baskets but Maltese team soon surged in front. Steve Schembri (187-F-79) nailed back-to-back trebles and Malta accumulated a 20:12 lead. Ben Potts (194-F-85) cut it back to 3 however Malta had the last laugh in the period as Omar Said (177-G-80) and Christopher Sammut finalized the outcome at 26:17. Omar Said and Steve Schembri combined for 5 points early in the second period and Malta stretched the margin to as many as 12 points. Anthony Berry (200-C-78) and Pearce managed to cap the firs half with straight jumper and Wales trailed by 6 at the interval. Omar Said opened the second half with two triples to give Malta a safe 12-point buffer. The team maintained the gap and when Omar Said and Steve Schembri notched 5 points in a row at the end of the quarter Malta were up by 15. Pearce, Waite and Anthony Berry revived the hope for Welsh team early in the fourth term clipping the deficit to 9 points. But Omar Said, Christopher Sammut and Steve Schembri reacted with 7 straight points to keep the distance comfortable. Wales failed to recover in the dying stages and suffered a sour loss at the end. Omar Said topscored with 25 points for Malta. Steve Schembri provided 19 points, while Marco Mercieca (184-G-83) added 11 for the winners. Anthony Berry had 22 points and 8 boards for Wales. Ben Potts nailed 15 points in a losing effort. Welsh team outrebounded their opponents 46:38 but shot only 37% from the field and suffered 20 turnovers.
San Marino - Gibraltar 77:64
San Marino clinched the 5th spot at the European Championship in Division C today. They overcame Gibraltar in Edinburgh to complete their campaign with a 3-2 record. Gibraltar got to a fast start of the encounter as Guerrero and David Garcia (205-F-76) put them ahead 9:3. But Emanuele Crescentini (198-F-83) kept San Marino in contest and they finally grabbed their first lead of the game following Flavio Bottiroli (194-G/F-77)s layup 17:16.
San Marino - Gibraltar 77:64
San Marino clinched the 5th spot at the European Championship in Division C today. They overcame Gibraltar in Edinburgh to complete their campaign with a 3-2 record. Gibraltar got to a fast start of the encounter as Guerrero and David Garcia (205-F-76) put them ahead 9:3. But Emanuele Crescentini (198-F-83) kept San Marino in contest and they finally grabbed their first lead of the game following Flavio Bottiroli (194-G/F-77)s layup 17:16. The teams finished the first half all square at 23. The lead changed hands for 7 times throughout the second period before Stefano Rossini (183-G-74) nailed a three-pointer to cap the first half with San Marino leading 42:41. Tentoni and Flavio Bottiroli stretched the gap to 9 points early in the third stanza as San Marino took over. Tentoni and Andrea Raschi (198-G/F-79) soon marked a double-digit advantage for San Marino. Ugolini and Emanuele Crescentini crowned the frame with back-to-back treys to make the cushion looked comfortable at 65:51. David Garcia scored 5 straight points for Gibraltar to drag them within 10 points early in the fourth quarter. David Garcia later added 4 more points and Gibraltar appeared just 7 points behind with less than 3 minutes left. Emanuele Crescentini converted a vital layup for San Marino to silence Gibraltar. San Marino withstood at the end to celebrate victory. Emanuele Crescentini nailed 26 points to pace San Marino. Andrea Raschi secured 15 points and 8 boards for the winners. David Garcia answered with 22 points and 13 boards for Gibraltar. Guerrero had 11 points in a losing effort.
Semifinals
Moldova - Andorra 85:74
Moldova became the first finalist of the European championship in Division C. They held off Andorra to claim the ticket to the title game. Andorra will fight for Bronze medals in consolation final. Moldova marked their dominance right from the start as Oprea and Eugeniu Melinic (196-F/G-79) put Moldovan team ahead 4:0. But Andorra quickly responded through 5 points from Xavier Galera (182-G-82) and grabbed a 10:9 lead midway through the first term.
Semifinals
Moldova - Andorra 85:74 Moldova became the first finalist of the European championship in Division C. They held off Andorra to claim the ticket to the title game. Andorra will fight for Bronze medals in consolation final. Moldova marked their dominance right from the start as Oprea and Eugeniu Melinic (196-F/G-79) put Moldovan team ahead 4:0. But Andorra quickly responded through 5 points from Xavier Galera (182-G-82) and grabbed a 10:9 lead midway through the first term. But Moldova looked persistent as Maxim Rusu (196-G-88), Eugeniu Melinic and Priscepnii retained the lead and stretched it to 23:15 at the end of the first quarter. Maxim Rusu nailed 5 straight points early in the second period and Moldova jumped to a 30:18 advantage. Then Eugeniu Melinic added 5 more points and the cushion started to look comfortable at 20-point mark. But Andorra refused to give up. Xavier Galera, Marin and Farras clipped the deficit to 12 points at halftime. Moldova got to a better start of the third period when Fedorenco nailed 4 points and Maxim Rusu fired from beyond the arc for 20+ advantage. Andorra failed to deny a massive hole and trailed by 24 points heading into the final stanza. Marc Martret (192-C-82) scored 5 points, while Ruz and Gabriel added 4 more to open the fourth quarter with a 9:0 run. Sansa later cut the deficit to just 12 points giving Andorra hope. But Eugeniu Melinic and Priscepnii kept Moldova at distance. Xavier Galera sparked a fierce desperate comeback effort from Andorra in the final 2 minutes. He nailed back-to-back jumpers, while Sansa hit from outside to make it 71:79 game with just over a minute left. Maxim Rusu was deadly from charity stripe and later Scipcaru and Priscepnii sealed the winning outcome for Moldova. Eugeniu Melinic led the winners with 19 points. Eugeniu Scripcaru (205-F-83) delivered 15 points and 12 boards for Moldova. Xavier Galera answered with game-high 26 points for Andorra. Marc Martret contributed 12 points and 12 boards in a loss.
