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EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 9/27/2007
Copyright © 1997-2007 EurobasketMen News
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Barons/LMT sign contracts with two players - Demetrius Alexander (204-F/C-75, agency: CAA Sports, college: Alabama) and Dainius Adomaitis (201-G/F-74).
Demetrius Alexander is very talented and young player. He can do it all. He can shoot the three-pointer, rebound, dish the ball, defend, block. He is very athletic. Last season Alexander played in Spain - Cajasol team. In 27 games Alexander has got 13,7 ppg, 5,7 rpg.
Lithuania player Dainius Adomaitis played in two best Lithuania teams - Zalgiris and Lietuvos Rytas. He is very smart player, who knows the game. He can score many points every evening. In 2006./2007 season Adonaitis played in Gravelines (France). In France league he has got 9.8ppg, 3.2rpg.
Barons/LMT team at this season:
Kristers Zeidaks
Martins Kravcenko
Demetrius Alexander
Raimonds Vaikulis
Edgars Eglitis
Einars Tukiss
Dainius Adomaitis
Arturs Brunins
Kaspars Berzins
Michal Hlebowicki
Rudolfs Rozitis
Armands Skele
Giedrius Gustas
Kebu Stewart
Lauris Mizis
Capitalinos wins a great game and they confirm to be "the team" of this TNA 2007. Metropolitanos are defeated by Matanzas with a great Allens Jemmott (193-G-80), the best scorer of the TNA 2007.
These are the results:
Matanzas-Metropolitanos= 90-87 (M= Jemmot 34, Torriente 31, Norona 12; Me= Walvin 20, Simon 19)
Capitalinos- Pinar del Rio= 93-59 (C= Torres 24, Valdes 18, Lima 11; P= Diaz 13, Rojas 11)
Cienfuegos- Camaguey= 56-71
Holguin- Santiago de Cuba= 82-90 (H= H. Simon 21, Caballero 15; SC= Martinez 23, Hechevarria 19, Del Toro 18)
Guantanamo- Las Tunas= 79-89 (G= Elias 24, Masso 17; LT= Garcia 21, Ayala 14, Medina 14)
A. Fontana
Cholet signed Alan Wiggins (206-F-84, college: USF) and released Kevin Pittsnogle (210-C-84, college: W.Virginia). Wiggins posted 14.3ppg 7.2rpg as a senior at San Francisco University.
*Quimper signed John III Thomas (175-G-76, agency: Hart Sports Mngm, college: St.Francis,NY) III to replace injured Brian Swift (178-G-82, agency: Octagon, college: S.Florida).
*John Cox (196-G-81, college: USF) signed back at Le Havre. He posted 14.4ppg 3.6rpg 2.7apg last season in the same team
*Aloysius Anagonye (203-F-81, college: Michigan St.) signed with Orleans that now has a complete roster. He will replace Gueye, injured at his knee.
*Sanjay Adell (198-F-77, college: Ohio) signed back with Mulhouse after he spent the season there last year in ProB. Adell posted 14.4ppg 4.6rpg 1.6apg in ProB last season.
*DeRon Hayes (197-F-70, agency: SportsTalent, college: Penn St.) is back in business. He will replace Joah Tucker (196-F-83, college: Wisc.-Milwaukee) at Limoges while the US forward is injured.
*Bob Menama (202-F-80, agency: Court Side) will play 2 months with Evreux to replace injured Jean-Emmanuel LeBrun (195-F-74). Menama knows the club since he played for Evreux 2 seasons ago (6 games, 12.2ppg 3.5rpg). He spent the whole season in Châlons last year (7.1ppg 3.7rpg).
Barons/LMT sign contracts with two players - Demetrius Alexander (204-F/C-75, agency: CAA Sports, college: Alabama) and Dainius Adomaitis (201-G/F-74).
Demetrius Alexander is very talented and young player. He can do it all. He can shoot the three-pointer, rebound, dish the ball, defend, block. He is very athletic. Last season Alexander played in Spain - Cajasol team. In 27 games Alexander has got 13,7 ppg, 5,7 rpg.
Lithuania player Dainius Adomaitis played in two best Lithuania teams - Zalgiris and Lietuvos Rytas. He is very smart player, who knows the game. He can score many points every evening. In 2006./2007 season Adonaitis played in Gravelines (France). In France league he has got 9.8ppg, 3.2rpg.
Barons/LMT team at this season:
Kristers Zeidaks
Martins Kravcenko
Demetrius Alexander
Raimonds Vaikulis
Edgars Eglitis
Einars Tukiss
Dainius Adomaitis
Arturs Brunins
Kaspars Berzins
Michal Hlebowicki
Rudolfs Rozitis
Armands Skele
Giedrius Gustas
Kebu Stewart
Lauris Mizis
Melaka Chinwoo was get the first round champion after beat Klang WCT Land by 79-72. The game is very tight with the score, even Melaka have a lead of 12 points in third quater, but WCT Land Cameroon import Kuete Chris is try to get back the losing situation, however, Chris was foul out when the game still have 4 minute to finish. After Chris foul out, the WCT land player is unable to fight with Melaka Chinwoo which have center Chee Li Wei and Guard Guganeswaran. The WCT Land also try to get back the points through foul tactics,this was make subsitute Abdul Kader(185-G-84) are having a 6 points play after scored 3 free throw and 1 three-point. However, Guganeswaran is able to handling the last 4 free-throw which decide the winning position. Melaka Center Chee Li Wei is successfully hold Chrs. The Cameroonian is unable to get more opportunity to score more like before. Tonight WCT Land is unable to organise their offense properly, even Chris is also hard to get the ball easily from his teammates. Melaka was proved that Chris is STOPABLE!!
Another game is YSL against Segamat Rimba Timor.Segamat national team ex-captain Satyaseelan is scored 23 points include 5 three-points in the game. The Segamat is have a easy win over YSL by 89-67. Center Koh Way Tek is make 14 ponits in limited playing time, because the team is needed to save energy to play in the semi final in this saturday against Klang WCT Land. YSL is get in some trouble with the player stamina, most of the player is unable to play more minute due to most of them is veteran player. YSL coach Goh Cheng Huat is try to use all the player to let the key player to have sufficient rest, but this action is cannot get the better result,how Goh will do in this saturday against Melaka Chinwoo?
The final will be held at MABA stadium in this sunday.
Union Olimpija easily defeated an injury-riddled Helios by 90-71 as won their fourth Supercup. Olimpija in second period made a 21-6 run and second half opened with an 14-3 run. Ronell Taylor (196-G-82, college: UAB) posted 20 points on shooting 9-of-13 from the field, Sasa Doncic added 18 points, Maurice Bailey 13 and Miha Zupan collected 12 points and 8 rebounds while Jack Ingram led Helios with 17 points and 7 rebounds.
HELIOS 71 (17+16+21+19): Moro 4, Zalokar 6, Mihalic 10, Radojicic 4, Ingram 17, Zagorc 6, Krusic 2, Zerak, Korosec DNP, Lashkevich 8, Tratnik DNP, Krejic 14.
UNION OLIMPIJA 90 (15+25+30+20): Doncic 18, Mocnik, Mulalic DNP, Booker 2, Anderson 10, Milic 11, Hukic 4, Begic DNP, Bailey 13, Zupan 12, Taylor 20, Ozbolt DNP.
In a time when salary caps and luxury taxes and league expansion has made the idea of a dynasty on the level of the old Celtics, Lakers or Bulls nearly impossible, the Spurs have come as close as any team can to reaching that plateau. This team has won four titles since 1999 under the coaching of Gregg Popovich and the play of Tim Duncan (208-F-76, college: Wake Forest) and this year they will make their fourth attempt at winning back-to-back trophies.
To be fair, though, that accomplishment - or lack thereof - is going to make little difference in the way history remembers this team. There was a time when it notion of winning consecutive titles was a huge accomplishment. After the Bill Russell Celtics were disbanded no team went back to back until the LA Lakers did it under Magic and Kareem nearly twenty years later. Since that time, however, the Rockets, Lakers and Bulls (twice) have gone for two or more consecutive Championships. The achievement is still noteworthy, but hardly the Herculean measuring stick it once was.
That said, however, the Spurs would nonetheless like to be able to scale that mountain just so they can say they did. Going into this season (like so many seasons before it) the Spurs are the logical favorites to win the NBA Championship because no team can match their arsenal of weapons. No team has a coach as steady, respected and decorated as Popovich. No team has a leader as steady, respected and decorated as Tim Duncan. No team has a Sixth Man as steady, respected and decorated as Manu Ginobili. And no other team has the ex-factor as steady, respected and decorated as Tony Parker. This team has all of the tools, a claim other teams attempt to make, but the Spurs have the rings to back up their assertions. For all that Dallas and Phoenix would love to believe that they have what it takes to do what San Antonio does, they have to prove it if they want anyone else to believe it.
On the San Antonio front it was a fairly quiet off-season, even by their own post-Championship standards. They didn't lure any big-name free agent on the cheap. They didn't pull off any depth-strengthening trades. All they did was shore-up the end of their bench with contract extensions for Matt Bonner and Jacque Vaughn, bring in Portland forward Ime Udoka in free agency and draft - and stash away - Brazilian big-man Tiago Splitter with their 28th pick. The prevailing notion in San Antonio appears to be 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
That's the luxury of being such a model franchise in this day and age. While teams like Dallas, Phoenix, Houston and Miami all made furious attempts to remake parts of their team - all of them will be altering at least one part of their starting line-up this season - San Antonio can once again sit back and let other teams try and catch up to them.
There was a time when the Spurs felt a need to make deals to stay one move ahead and keep their top-spot, but more often then not those attempts yielded earlier-than-expected Playoff exits. Not directly, of course, but that always seemed to be the result of doing too much after winning a title. This season, they appear content to just maintain the status quo and allow all of the benefits of chemistry and success to wash over them during the '07-'08 season.
It may work, it may not. Let's face it; these Spurs have nothing left to prove. If they don't win the title this year, they'll strike even more fear into the league the following season because this team never goes too long without adding a ring to their fingers. They've gone the route of trying to bolster a Championship roster and it hasn't netted them that (marginally) coveted back-to-back title. So this year they're going a different route. There isn't much reason for this team to worry, though, because no team this summer has stepped-up and made the moves necessary to make anyone think they're the favorites going into the season. Which is why, once again, the Spurs look to be favored to take it all home 2008.
PROBABLE STARTING LINE-UP
PG - Tony Parker
It's funny how quickly Parker gets forgotten. Only two-and-a-half months after winning the Finals MVP he is once again an also-ran in the talk of the league's best point guards. Even though he dictated the pace of each and every game against the Cavaliers last June, choosing when and how to pick them apart, he is still considered just outside the elite two of Nash and Kidd in some circles, and behind Arenas, Deron, Paul and Chauncey in others. Perhaps it is because he isn't known as a passing point guard (he only averages about 5.4 assists per game on his career, right about what he averaged last year, as well). Even though the Spurs run a system that sees everyone play the role of passer, Parker is the one whose reputation is hurt by that fact. Another blemish is the fact that people seem obsessed with his inability to shoot, even though he shot 52% and 40% from two and three, respectively, last season. Perhaps he is just doomed to the same fate as his teammate, Tim Duncan, in that because he plays in a less publicized market he thusly becomes less publicized. If that is the case, I think that he'll take the lack of pub if it means he'll retire with no less than three rings and a Finals MVP to his name.
SG - Manu Ginobili
While at some point this year, as it is every year, this spot will be manned by either Michael Finley or Brent Barry while Ginobili will be sent to the bench to massacre opposing subs, for now the spot remains his. Ginobili has become the third banana on this team lately with the emergence of Parker, but he is still a very potent force to have at your disposal. He shoots well from everywhere on the court, he rebounds and passes and steals and he does it all without whining or demanding a permanent starting role. In fact, when the 'demotion' came last winter, he feigned surprise that coach had waited until that far into the season. So many teams have talented players that they'd love to be able to use as a weapon in their second unit but fragile egos make it nearly impossible. It's a pity that Ginobili has yet to win a Sixth Man award, if only because he is one of the few players in the league who wouldn't take it as proof that he should be starting.
SF - Bruce Bowen
The most rock-solid proof that a team doesn't need to stock their team with All-Stars to win a title sits right here. Bowen has never been anything short of crucial in this team's run for it's last three titles, providing suffocating defense and zone-busting three point shooting that proves that sometimes less-is-more from a starter on such a potent team. This is a guy who has never averaged over seven points per game in his career, never pulled down more than 4.1 boards per game, never dished out more than two assists per game, yet his contributions are as vital as any Parker or Ginobili. It's his defense that allows those two to conserve some of their energy by not guarding the LeBron's and Kobe's of the world. It's his outside shooting that opens up the paint for their penetrations. He may not have the most glamorous job in the NBA, but he has one of the most important. At least for his team.
PF - Tim Duncan
While people love to throw around the expressions of 'what's left to say' about endorsement-laden players like LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, I think the term is best suited for two-time MVP Tim Duncan. His game is so steady you could set your watch to it. There are the lowest of peaks and the shallowest of valleys in Duncan's career. He is consistency, personified, in the NBA today. Sure he could do better at the free throw line, but so could Shaq. In fact, at this point the comparisons with the career of Shaq - his only equally accomplished contemporary - are swinging in the other direction. While Shaq and Duncan both share the same number of titles, Duncan's career has been far more consistent than that of Shaq. While he has never dominated the league the way Shaq did in 2001 and 2002, he has never seen his career dip as low as Shaq's did last season, nor has he battled weight issues or suffered such publicized feuding with any of his teammates. While there is by no means a definitive answer to who has been superior at this stage, Duncan looks better poised to make a run at another title or two while Shaq looks to need Dwyane Wade to carry him to whatever success may await him before he retires.
C - Fabricio Oberto
While it would be unfair to call last season's free agent signing Francisco Elson a bust, it would be fair to say he performed below expectation. The Spurs had hoped his addition would make this team's frontline more explosive and athletic in an age where more and more teams are veering towards that style of play. By the end of the season, however, the Spurs felt far more comfortable with a more traditional and fundamentally sound centre manning the middle. Much like fellow Argentinean Luis Scola who will be suiting up for Houston this year, Oberto is a no-nonsense meat-and-potatoes player. He is always in the right spot on the floor, he is a solid passer and a very nice finisher and can play with this team whether they are running or walking the ball up the court. While he may not have the shot-blocking abilities of Elson, or his potency at dunking the ball, his well-rounded game is far better suited to this highly cerebral outfit, anyway.
By Tim Chisholm
Women News
*****************************************************Nigeria captain and reigning most valuable player of the Africa Nations Championship for Women, Mfon Udoka is down with a kneel injury which saw missing on the Nigeria line-up in Wednesday last group game against Kenya.
The former Tarbes Gespe Bigorre basketball club of France forward hurt her kneel why leading the Nigeria onslaught against Mwabi Mabika and her team in Nigeria third group-B game last Sunday in Thies.
Udoka who first dorn the Nigeria colour in 2003 8th All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria has been a major player with the Nigerian side ever since little wonder the coaches led by Kevin Cook decides to rest her against Kenya so to allow the injury to heal before the crucial quarter-final battle a against Mozambique on Friday.
Udoka a one time WNBA player with the Houston Comets is a hardworking and experienced player whose leadership is not doubt, should be back in action for the Africa champion on Friday.
Mfon Udoka (190-F/C-76, college: De Paul)
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Championship defending champion, Nigeria Tuesday played a more relaxed with a 75-64 points win over bottom of the table Cape Verde to confirm her place in the last eight and a possible quarter-final pairing against Mozambique on Friday.
The Mfon Udoka captained side approach the game against the Cape Verdeans whose men team inflicted a bitter defeat of the Africa second rated team at the quarterfinal stage of the men championship in Angola with caution and all seriousness.
Nigeria last game against Kenya Wednesday is also expected to go the same way as that of Tuesday against Cape Verde who like Madagascar are the only teams that are yet to register a win so far in the championship.
Tuesday Results:
Mali 64-46 Mozambique
Cote d'Ivoire 62-49 Tunisia
Senegal 100-36 Madagascar
DR Congo 62-42 Kenya
Angola 63-38 Cameroon
Nigeria 75-64 Cape Verde
Wednesday pairing:
Group-A:
Madagascar Vs Cote d'Ivoire
Mozambique Vs Tunisia
Mali Vs Senegal
Group-B
Kenya Vs Nigeria
Cape Verde Vs Cameroon
DR Congo Vs Angola
Mercy Okorie (180-C/F-81, college: Texas St.-San Marcos)
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Czech Republic-Turkey 86:62 (20-13, 19-10, 29-19, 18-20)
Czech Republic looks better than any other team in Eurobasket 2007. The next victim of the favorite was Turkey that lost 62:86. Jana Vesela (194-F-83) and Eva Viteckova (190-F-82) led the Czechs with 17 points each. Marketa Mokrosova (178-F-81) supported them with 11 points. Birsel Vardarli (173-G-84) top-scored for Turkey with 20 points as one of the leaders Nevriye Yilmaz did not play in the game.
The Czechs took a 17-4 lead after seven minutes, and even when Turkey replied with a 9-1 run, to finish the first quarter down 20:13, there was not much of a challenge for the Czech. The team shows a great basketball so far and is better than any other team in the tournament.
For Turkey it was not an important game as they will take on Israel in a win-or-die game, where the winner will continue and the loser will go home. Turkey and Israel lost their first two games and in order to advance to the Qualifying Round they should have to win at least once.
Anyway, Czech Republic had 39:23 at the half and looked optimistic. In the second half they reached even more than 30 points deficit, when Hartigova made the score 77:46. A final, 86:62 result keeps the team on top of the group, however in order to finish first Czech Republic will have to beat Latvia tonight.
In another game of the group Latvia beat Israel 77:73. The Czechs should pay close attention to Jekabsone-Zogota who poured in 28 points over Israel.
Czech Republic: Jana Vesela 17, Eva Viteckova 17, Marketa Mokrosova 11
Turkey: Birsel Vardarli 20, Isil Alben (170-G-86) 8, Yasemin Horasan (190-F/C-83) 8
Israel-Turkey 58:70 (18-17, 23-26, 4-18, 13-9)
Israel lost the third game in Group A and finished on the last place. In the opening game of Group A Turkey beat Israel 70:58 in a live-or-die game. Turkey finished the group with 1-2 and took Israel spot in the Qualifying Round. Yasemin Horasan (190-F/C-83) led the winners with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Isil Alben (170-G-86) and Saziye Karsli (185-F-82) produced 10 points each. Shay Doron (175-G-85, college: Maryland) top-scored for Israel with 12 points.
It was the game of two winless teams in the group, as Latvia and Czech Republic dominated there. Israel started well and scored first five points of the game. Turkey replied with 8-0 run when Yasemin Horasan gave her team the first lead. Mirav Dori (178-F-86)'s three pointer gave Israel the lead before the first 10 minutes of the game, 18:17.
In a very offensive second quarter Turkey managed to stay in front for the most of the time and grabbed 43:41 at the half. A 13-0 run buried all hopes of Israel to advance to the Qualifying Round. Yasemin Horasan made the score 56:41 and sent her team to the next round. Israel tried hard, but could not tie the game. Three teams except Israel will advance to the Qualifying Round that will start on September 28th.
Israel: Shay Doron 12, Katia Abramzon (186-F/C-87) 11, Mirav Dori 11
Turkey: Yasemin Horasan 13+11 rebs, Isil Alben 10, Saziye Karsli 10
Belgium-Romania 74:71 (20-23, 16-19, 23-16, 15-13)
Belgium stays undefeated and beat Romania in the last game of the group. A good first half of the Romanian squad left them in the game till the end of it. Ann Wauters (194-C-80) (194-C-80) paced the winners with 20 points and 10 rebounds. De Mondt chipped in 13, while Kathy Wambe (174-G-81) added 10. Ancuta Stoenescu (171-G-80) top-scored for Romania with 14 points. The latter did not qualify to the next round having 0-3 record.
The game did not solve many problems and tasks. For the Belgium squad it was the repetition before the Qualifying Round, while Romania wanted to win at least once in the group. The latter lost all the chances even before the game. Anyway, Romania opened the game with 3-0 and controlled the first quarter. Brosovszky helped the team to finish the first at 23:20. A great game in the second quarter brought another achievement when Ancuta Stoenescu hit a three. At that time Romania had 42:32 lead and looked well. Kathy Wambe could reduce to 36:42 as both squads disappeared in the lockers.
Brosovszky's three in the third quarter returned Romania 10-points deficit. A 17-0 run that started in the end of the third and lasted till the fourth quarter lifted Belgium in front. Ann Wauters was the last to score in the game when she made 74:71.
Belgium: Ann Wauters 20+10 rebs, De Mondt 13, Kathy Wambe 10
Romania: Ancuta Stoenescu 14, Maria Pascalau (194-C-82) 13, Paula Cristina Ciocan (183-G-82, college: S.Carolina) 13
Greece-Russia 47:86 (13-29, 9-15, 12-21, 13-21)
Russia proved that the team's goal for the Championship is Gold smashing Greece in the last game of the Preliminary Round. The favorite of Group C won 86:47 and placed first. Greece will have to eliminate as the team lost three games in a row. Irina Osipova (196-C-81) led the winners with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Ekaterina Demagina (175-G-82) ended up with 12, while Olga Arteshina (190-F-82) created 11 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks. Evanthia Maltsi (180-F-78) paced Greece with 22 points.
Many specialists compared first two games of the Czechs and the Russian team and Czech Republic looked much better in the first two games. It was the time to prove.
Russia nailed 29 points in the first quarter and it seemed the team could easily score 100. The first quarter ended up with 29:13 and gave no more battle in the game. Russia won the half 44:22 when Olga Arteshina made a lay-up.
In the second half Grudin gave opportunity almost to everybody to participate and to score. The team had already +31 when the teams finished the third quarter. Irina Osipova with a lay-up made the final score 86:47 for the Russian team.
Greece: Evanthia Maltsi 22, Anastasia Kostaki (172-G-78) 11
Russia: Irina Osipova 21+12 rebs, Ekaterina Demagina 12, Olga Arteshina 11+9 rebs+7 blk
Italy-France 48:64 (6-11, 10-17, 19-11, 13-25)
France showed good shape and clinched the second place in Group C; Italy finished third. The hosts scored only 15 points in the first half and trailed by 11 at intermission, but in the third quarter Dubravka Dacic and Laura Laura Macchi (187-F-79) made the Azzurre closer and closer (31-32) before Commeres team re-accelerate for good. Sandrine Gruda (192-F/C-87) led France with 14 points.Italy's Laura Laura Macchi, who had 15 points to lead all scorers on five of 14 shooting from the field, said that they lost a great opportunity, coming back in the second half.
Italy: Laura Macchi 15 Ress 8
France: Sandrine Gruda 14, Gomis 11, Le Drean 10, Emmeline Ndongue 9
Belarus-Serbia 79:53 (21-16, 22-20, 17-11, 19-6)
| E.Championships (W) Standings |
Italy had to wait for 4 minutes to score their first points of the game but as luck will have it France had only scored 4 points, all from Sandra Le Drean. Both sides were just unable to make their way to the basket and so were forced to snatch at their shots to avail. The introduction of Celine Dumerc and Emily Gomis changed things for France as their pace and tenacity got France back on track finishing the first half on the back of a 5:0 run. So they extended their lead to 13 points midway through the second period.
Krissy Bade made sure France did not drop their intensity as she worked on both ends of the court at the start of the second period as France scored 6 straight points. With her performance and the defence now in place, Italy were not able to reach their basket for the first 3 minutes of the second period as France opened up the first significant lead of the match (19-6).
A change in defensive systems by Italy resulted in France turning over the ball and losing their rhythm which profited the hosts as they put together their best offensive action to slightly reduce their deficit. Afterwards France were unable to score for 3 minutes but once Yacoubou found her way to the free-throw line after a pair of missed free-throws from Le Drean, the French team was back in attack mode and went into the interval with a 12-point lead.
Right from the start of the third period the Italians were more aggressive with Kathrin Ress taking a slight knock right at the start of the period which appeared to slow her down. Dubravaka Dacic took it upon herself to keep her team in the game as she alone took on France during the first part of the period scoring the first 6 points for her side. Furthermore she found time to go back and defend and add a block including an assist to her performance as France's advantage dropped to 8 points (32-24). Then things went from bad to worse for France: first Celine Dumerc picked up 3 quick fouls and had to leave the field, secondly France were unable to score a single point while Italy had reduced the deficit to 3 points.
Finally France recovered when Emmeline Ndongue - not known for her speed - chased down Giorgia Sottana to block her just before she could lay up. Yet Sottana was to have the last laugh seconds later as she scored and herewith bringing Italy to within 1 point of France (32-31) while she concluded a 11-0 run. This was as close Italy was to come as France regained their composure and Edwige Lawson-Wade hit a critical 3-point shot that silenced the crowd shortly before both sides traded basket for basket with France scoring the last of the period to go into the final period leading by 4 points.
In comparison to the fireworks of the third period the final period was dull, but France silenced the crowd for good with 6 quick points (44-35). France, now in control, only allowed Italy one basket as they extended their lead to 13 points (37-50) to finish the match as a contest. So the French players went on to pace themselves to victory (64-48).
Three players finished with double digits for France with Sandrine Gruda leading the scoring with 14 points followed by Gomis and Le Drean with 11 and 10 points respectively. Laura Macchi finished with a game high 15 points for Italy.
Sabrina Reghaissia speaks with us after the match
What do you think of this competition so far?
It is a very open competition, all the teams are of a similar level. Any team can beat everybody. That means you shouldn't let down your guard. For us, France, we have done okay and today we won against Italy which was difficult. And now we attack the qualification round with the same energy and the same enthusiasm.
What are the goals?
We would like to stand on the podium, but we need to advance as far as possible to make sure that we qualify for the Olympic qualifying tournament first of all, then the podium and anything extra will be a bonus.
You still want to go to the Olympics?
Yes of course, we will take it very seriously to get there.
How is the championship going for you so far? Yesterday you played, today not so much.
Yes, that's how it is. It is the coach's decision on who plays when, and sometimes it is part of the strategy.
Everybody has to prepare and be prepared.
Anyway, the players are all part of the team, we've been together since 1st August And the coach does the maximum to rotate the players according to his plans and game situation.
USVO is waiting for you after the Euro. So how does it feel to go back to the North?
It is great. Well Montpellier was a good experience, a bit far from home, and now - after the Euro - I am looking forward to starting the season with USVO. It's really a good club with ambitions. Also the team is practically new with only two players from last season on board. I think the players are ready to work hard and achieve some success at the end of the season. But before thinking of the future with USVO I have to concentrate all my energy at the task here with the national team.
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Jose Ruiz is the head coach of the women national team of Mali who are currently unbeaten in group-A of the 20th Africa Nations Championship for Women holding in Dakar and Thies, Senegal.
The Spanish-born tactician takes a hard look at the standard of the game in Africa and his team chances against host in her last group game tonight and the prospect of African players in a brief chat with www.fiba-afrique.org.
Ruiz who doubles as the head coach French division-one side Lattes Maurin Montpellier basketball club says Africa is the next basketball power house after Europe and the Americas.
On his team last group game against host, Senegal tonight, Coach Ruiz says the Malian will curtail the fast break style of play of the Senegalese and go on to top the group.
“I think the standard of play here is high, the followership is also great even greater than some European countries, the media have also been of tremendous support.
“There are a lots of quality players in this championship and to me it is a thing of joy as a coach, very athletic and skilful players that require just of polishing to become world class players.
“Africa might just be the next basketball power-house after the zones of Europe and the Americas judging by the avalanche of talents on display in this championship.
“Our last group game against the host tonight will be a tough duel but I think I have an answer to the foray of the Senegalese fast-break style of play, they a good defensive side but we hope to unleash our young team on them.
Nagnouma Coulibaly (192-F-89)
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Championship defending champion, Nigeria Tuesday played a more relaxed with a 75-64 points win over bottom of the table Cape Verde to confirm her place in the last eight and a possible quarter-final pairing against Mozambique on Friday.
The Mfon Udoka captained side approach the game against the Cape Verdeans whose men team inflicted a bitter defeat of the Africa second rated team at the quarterfinal stage of the men championship in Angola with caution and all seriousness.
Nigeria last game against Kenya Wednesday is also expected to go the same way as that of Tuesday against Cape Verde who like Madagascar are the only teams that are yet to register a win so far in the championship.
Tuesday Results:
Mali 64-46 Mozambique
Cote d'Ivoire 62-49 Tunisia
Senegal 100-36 Madagascar
DR Congo 62-42 Kenya
Angola 63-38 Cameroon
Nigeria 75-64 Cape Verde
Wednesday pairing:
Group-A:
Madagascar Vs Cote d'Ivoire
Mozambique Vs Tunisia
Mali Vs Senegal
Group-B
Kenya Vs Nigeria
Cape Verde Vs Cameroon
DR Congo Vs Angola
Mercy Okorie (180-C/F-81, college: Texas St.-San Marcos)
Nigeria captain and reigning most valuable player of the Africa Nations Championship for Women, Mfon Udoka is down with a kneel injury which saw missing on the Nigeria line-up in Wednesday last group game against Kenya.
The former Tarbes Gespe Bigorre basketball club of France forward hurt her kneel why leading the Nigeria onslaught against Mwabi Mabika and her team in Nigeria third group-B game last Sunday in Thies.
Udoka who first dorn the Nigeria colour in 2003 8th All Africa Games in Abuja, Nigeria has been a major player with the Nigerian side ever since little wonder the coaches led by Kevin Cook decides to rest her against Kenya so to allow the injury to heal before the crucial quarter-final battle a against Mozambique on Friday.
Udoka a one time WNBA player with the Houston Comets is a hardworking and experienced player whose leadership is not doubt, should be back in action for the Africa champion on Friday.
Mfon Udoka (190-F/C-76, college: De Paul)
Jose Ruiz is the head coach of the women national team of Mali who are currently unbeaten in group-A of the 20th Africa Nations Championship for Women holding in Dakar and Thies, Senegal.
The Spanish-born tactician takes a hard look at the standard of the game in Africa and his team chances against host in her last group game tonight and the prospect of African players in a brief chat with www.fiba-afrique.org.
Ruiz who doubles as the head coach French division-one side Lattes Maurin Montpellier basketball club says Africa is the next basketball power house after Europe and the Americas.
On his team last group game against host, Senegal tonight, Coach Ruiz says the Malian will curtail the fast break style of play of the Senegalese and go on to top the group.
“I think the standard of play here is high, the followership is also great even greater than some European countries, the media have also been of tremendous support.
“There are a lots of quality players in this championship and to me it is a thing of joy as a coach, very athletic and skilful players that require just of polishing to become world class players.
“Africa might just be the next basketball power-house after the zones of Europe and the Americas judging by the avalanche of talents on display in this championship.
“Our last group game against the host tonight will be a tough duel but I think I have an answer to the foray of the Senegalese fast-break style of play, they a good defensive side but we hope to unleash our young team on them.
Nagnouma Coulibaly (192-F-89)
