POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Georgios Tanoulis
Greece - Portugal 91-56
Greece knocked down Portugal to claim the first win in Group B. Portugal jumped to a 24-15 lead after ten minutes. But Greece quickly turned things around. They went on a 26-12 rally in the second term to eke out a 41-36 halftime lead. The Hellenes went on a strong 50-20 second half run to seal the win. Georgios Tanoulis (210-C-2002, agency: Network Sports International) posted 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Alexandros Nikolaidis (203-F-2003) added 16 points for Greece. Ruben Prey (207-F-2005) answered with 15 points for Portugal.
Ukraine - Spain 58-89
Spain coasted past Ukraine to finish the group stage undefeated. Spain registered a 52-31 halftime lead. They followed with a 37-27 second half rally to ice the victory. Aitor Etxeguren (206-F/C-2002) and Hector Alderete (205-F-2002) fiinsihed with 16 points each for Spain. Vitalii Shymanskyi (205-F-2003) dropped 15 points for Ukraine.
Slovenia - France 74-63
Slovenia held off France for the first win in Podgorica. France enjoyed a 36-31 halftime lead. But Slovenia went on a strong 24-11 run in the third term to surge ahead. They maintained the lead throughout the fourth period and ran away with the victory. Sasa Ciani (205-PF-2003) produced 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Luka Scuka (201-SF-2002) added 12 points for Slovenia. Ilias Kamardine (193-SG-2003) and Brice Dessert (207-C-2003) replied with 10 points each for France.
Italy - Israel 82-83 OT
Israel nipped Italy in overtime to climb atop of Group B. Italy led by two points at the big break 43-41. Israel denied the deficit in the third term. The teams traded baskets throughout the fourth quarter heading into overtime to decide on the winner. Israel sank 10 points in the extra period to snatch a narrow win. Gilad Levy (215-C-2002) came up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Noam Dovrat added 15 points for Israel. Davide Casarin (196-G-2003) provided 17 points for Italy.
Lithuania - Czech Republic 108-66
Lithuania crushed Czech Republic for the first victory in Montenegro. The Baltic team unloaded 63 points in the first half to open a 30-point halftime lead. They added 45 points in the second half and cruised to the win. Seven players scored in double digits for the winners. Augustas Marciulionis (193-G-2002) scored 18 points for Lithuania. Ondrej Hanzlik (201-G-2002, agency: Octagon Europe) responded with 21 points for Czech Republic.
Croatia - Belgium 75-76
Belgium nipped Croatia to finish second in Group A at 2-1 record. Croatia enjoyed a 6-point lead after ten minutes. But Belgium slowly erased the deficit and sank 22 points in the fourth term to snatch the win. Thijs De Ridder (202-SF-2003) posted 28 points and 15 rebounds, while Marlon Makwa (198-PF-2002) added 12 points for Belgium. Matej Bosnjak (204-C-2002) and Vito Kucic (190-G-2002) provided 17 points each for Croatia.
Montenegro - Germany 76-72
Montenegro toppled Germany to clinch the top position in Group D. Germany led by 8 points at the first break. But Montenegro went on a strong 22-13 run in the fourth period to secure a narrow victory at the end. Fedor Zugic (197-G/F-2003) posted 21 points, while Andrija Grbovic (207-F-2003) added 20 points and 13 rebounds for Montenegro. Nolan Adekunle (200-SF-2002) answered with 15 points for Germany.
Turkey - Poland 54-53
Turkey nipped Poland to take 2-1 record in Group D. Turkey enjoyed a 34-29 halftime lead. Poland put on a decent fight in the second half cutting the deficit late but Turkey hung on to escape with a narrow win at the end. Adem Bona (207-F/C-2003) delivered 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Sarper Mutaf (197-G-2002, college: Minnesota) added 10 points for Turkey. Igor Milicic (204-SG-2002) answered with 19 points for Poland.
Tags : GEORGIOS TANOULIS, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U20 BASKETBALL
