Division B. Overview of Day 2 in Matosinhos

Jorke Aav

Montenegro - Albania 99-68
Montenegro cruised past Albania to claim the second straight win in Portugal. Montenegro grabbed a 40-29 halftime lead. They unloaded 59 points in the second half to ease to the win. Marko Radunovic (198-F-2006) posted 13 points, while Vasilije Todorovic (194-SG-2005) and Luka Durovic (202-SG-2006) had 12 points each for the winners. Arden Begaj (208-PF-2005) answered with 21 points for Albania.

Bosnia - Slovakia 77-57
Bosnia held off Slovakia for the opening win in Group B. Bosnia built a 43-25 halftime lead and never looked back en route to the win. Elmir Dzafic (215-C-2005) had 16 points, while Ajdin Becirovic (201-SF-2005) tossed in 13 points for Bosnia. Radoslav Telicak (199-C-2005) answered with 17 points for Slovakia.

Georgia - Hungary 80-91
Hungary rallied past Georgia for the first win in Group B. They accumulated a 24-18 lead after ten minutes. Georgia pulled within three points at the final break. But Hungary unloaded 31 points in the fourth stanza to snatch the win. Dominik Karda (186-G-2005) and Tamas Kegel (190-G-2005) produced 14 points each for Hungary. Avtandil Bakhtadze (204-F/C-2007) answered with 19 points for Georgia.

Estonia - Ireland 82-58
Estonia outgunned Ireland for the second straight win in Group C. The Baltic team posted a 43-35 halftime advantage. They used a 20-9 run in the fourth period to clinch a comfortable win. Jorke Aav (188-PG-2005) knocked down 21 points for Estonia. Leo Byrne (2005) replied with 12 points for Ireland.

Iceland - Austria 72-82
Austria defeated Iceland for the second consecutive win in Portugal. Austria led by one point at the interval 43-42. Austria sank 25 points in the third term to gain a 5-point lead at the final intermission. They held Iceland to just 9 points in the fourth stanza and raced to the win. Aleksej Kostic (192-G-2005, agency: 011 Sports) came up with 27 points, while Imran Suljanovic (196-F/G-2006) added 20 points for Austria. Tomas Thrastarson (197-G-2005) answered with 13 points for Iceland.

Romania - Ukraine 72-66
Romania overpowered Ukraine for 2-0 record in Group C. Ukraine led by 9 points after ten minutes. But Romania responded with a 21-10 run in the second term to take the lead. They drained 38 points in the second half to march to the win. Denis Badalau (202-F/G-2006) provided 17 points for Romania. Daniil Sypalo (209-F-2005) answered with 23 points and 10 rebounds for Ukraine.

Holland - Kosovo 82-67
Netherlands outscored Kosovo for the second win in Group C. Kosovo sank 26 points in the first period to take a 3-point lead. But Netherlands answered with a 20-5 run in the second period to gain a 43-31 halftime lead. They protected the lead throughout the second half to race to the win. Latif Diouf (202-F-2005) and Wamba Ngouateu (197-F-2006) provided 13 points each for Netherlands. Jon Ismajli (193-SG-2005) answered with 18 points for Kosovo.

Portugal - Latvia 73-75
Latvia recorded the second consecutive win in Group D. They nipped Portugal to stay undefeated. Portugal eked out a 40-38 halftime lead. The hosts stretched the margin at 7-point mark heading into the fourth frame. But Latvia used a 23-14 run in the final stanza to snatch the win. Roberts Blums (205-F-2005) tossed in 23 points, while Toms Linis (194-G-2005) added 10 points for the Baltic team. Ruben Prey (209-F-2005) replied with 21 points and 12 rebounds for Portugal.

Belgium - Bulgaria 76-75 OT
Belgium outlasted Bulgaria in overtime to improve at 1-1 record in Portugal. The teams went neck and neck throughout the entire game. Belgium sank 13 points in the extra period to eke out a tough win. Noah Meeuusen produced 25 points for Belgium. Aleksandar Gavalyugov banked in 22 points for Bulgaria.