Joventut
with the title! BC
Khimky Moscow - DKV
Joventut Badalona63-88 (12-15, 18-28, 22-26, 11-19)
“It´s important because we are starting to become a good team again in Spain and
in Europe and a win here would really show that we have returned to the top,”
said Spanish coach
Aito Garcia
about possibility of EuroCup's victory in Kyiv. This evening Joventut came back
atop of European Cup and they could again celebrate their victory and cut down
the nets. Spanish side trashed BC Khimky 63-88.
It was first European title for team from Badalona since 1994 when they won
EuroLeague. Both teams played twice in 2nd group round of EuroCup. Khimki
prevailed 95-66 in Russia and then DKV came back and won on their home court,
83-67. Today Joventut 2nd time this season beat Russian side and made a dream of
the entire city of Badalona. After first quarter when they led 12-15, DKV ruled
floor at Sports Palace in Kyiv, soaring to a 30-43 halftime lead and never
looking back. Lubos
Barton (200-F/G-80, college:
Valparaiso)
came off the bench and was almost flawless behind the arc finishing with 18
points (5/6 3-pointers).
Rudy
Fernandez (197-G-85) boosted Joventut with 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Naturalized Italian
'Marcelinho' Huertas (191-G-83, agency:
Edge
Sports) also finished thea game with double figures scored 14 points.
Veteran
Elmer Bennett (183-G-70, college:
Notre Dame)
led Spanish playmaking with 6 assists. Joventut made an incredible 56% of its
threes (15 for 27). Khimki could not keep up from the 2nd quarter, but had a
good game out of
Melvin
Booker (185-G-72, college:
Missouri),
with game-high 20 points.
FIBA All-Star Game 2006 Europeans - Rest of the World 97-89
Thanks to a late 15-4 run the Rest of the World took the win in the 3rd FIBA
All-Star Game. MVP
Marcus Hatten (186-G-80) scored 17 points and helped
his team reach the victory.
"I want to thank the fans and organizers for making this night possible," said
the World team's Jarod Stevenson, who scored eight points. "The fans supported
us even though they didn't really know us and we appreciate that." Hatten, the
leading scorer during the EuroCup, scored 17 points in 18 minutes of play to
lead the World in scoring. "It was a nice break to play in this game after the
season and we enjoyed our time," Hatten said.
Gianmarco Pozzecco (185-G-72) scored 11 points for the
Europeans. "It is nice to be a part of this," said Pozzecco. "I had the
opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new friends"said the Italian.
Cypriot star Giorgos Palalas of AEL played 10 minutes and scored 2 points. Amazing entertaiment
The fans at the "Spyros Kyprianou" stadium enjoyed a great entertainment show.
Singers Kalomoira, Maro Litra, Giorgos Lianos and Giorgos Christou from Greece
that are pretty popular in Cyprus performed for the crowd. The overweight group
Madators of the Chicago Bulls gave many laughs to the fans while the dunking
exhibitions by the Slamnation and the Crazy Dunkers amazed the fans! Three-point competition
Jarod Stevenson (200-F-75) won a thrilling three-point
competition after facing
Gianmarco Pozzecco (185-G-72) in the final. The two
players made it to the final round with 18 points and in the final Pozzecco went
first and scored 18. Stevenson had 17 with the two point ball remaining. His
final shot hit the net and gave him the title. "I knew I was close and when I
came to the final rack I knew I had a chance to get 18 or more," Stevenson said.
Stevenson kept his hand extended as his final shot was released and then
celebrated his three-point shootout victory with teammates. "I knew when the
final shot left my hand it was good," Stevenson said and continued "My wife told
me that I would win it before we got here, so I am happy to make her prediction
come true." Successful organizing
At the end of the event Nar Zanolin of FIBA Europe told the president of the
committee
Michael Loizides : "If you want it next year, it's
yours" proving that AEL and Cyprus did a great job organizing the All-Star Day. Periods: 24-31, 41-47, 75-76,
89-97 Europe: Einikis 10 (2), Loncar 12 (2), Aleksic 6, Jomantas 5
(1), Palalas 2, Pozzecco 11 (1), Eliyahu 10, Mrsic 9 (3), Burlacu 3, Kambala 21 Rest of the World: El-Amin 14 (2), Hatten 17 (1), Greer 13 (3),
McCarty 9 (1), Torres 11 (1), Dickel, McGowan 8, King, Stevenson 8, Wolkowisky
6, Harris 5 (1), Ferron 6.
