POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Eemi Luukkonen
Holland - Romania 75-82
Romania outgunned Netherlands for the second win in Tbilisi. Netherlands enjoyed a 44-35 halftime lead. But Romania responded with a 47-31 second half run to snatch the win. Stefan Grasu (200-SF-2003, agency: BIG) posted 19 points, while David Patru (186-SG-2004) added 16 points for the winners. Joryam Saizonou (191-PG-2002) answered with 25 points and 8 assists for Netherlands.
Latvia - Hungary 62-58
Latvia held off Hungary to gain the second victory at the tournament. Ricards Vanags (202-G/F-2002) came up with 18 points to lead the winners. Latvia grabbed a 31-20 halftime lead. Hungary pulled within three points at the final break. But Latvia poured in 20 points in the fourth frame to seal the win. Dez Tanoh (190-PG-2002) had 22 points for Hungary.
Estonia - Luxembourg 95-48
Estonia cruised past Luxembourg to remain undefeated in Tbilisi. The Baltic team grabbed a 54-23 halftime lead and never looked back en route to the win. Joosep Heinla (200-F-2002) finished with 15 points, while Sverre Aav (193-SG-2002) and Joonas Riismaa (195-SF-2002) contributed 13 points each for Estonia. Jonathan Diederich (200-SF-2003) accounted for 12 points for Luxembourg.
Ireland - Bulgaria 75-72
Ireland overcame a slow start to nip Bulgaria for the second win in Group C. Bulgaria jumped off to a 35-25 halftime lead. But Ireland replied with a 28-15 rally in the second half to secure the victory. Samuel Alajiki (201-F-2002) delivered 19 points and 7 rebounds for the Irish team. Konstantin Kostadinov (204-F-2003) answered with 24 points and 9 rebounds for Bulgaria.
North Macedonia - Georgia 76-73
North Macedonia outlasted Georgia for the third win in Tbilisi. North Macedonia trailed by 7 points at halftime. But they went on a 39-29 second half run to ice the win. Luka Savicevic and Andrej Andonoski recorded 14 points each for North Macedonia. Vladimer Tavakarashvili and Vladimer Salaridze (201-F-2002) replied with 19 points each for Georgia.
Albania - Finland 53-77
Finland cruised past Albania to gain 3-1 record in Group D. Finland opened a 38-18 halftime lead. They drained 39 points in the second half and marched to the victory. Eemi Luukkonen (200-F-2002) came up with 18 points and 8 rebounds for Finland. Xhersido Hajdari (207-C-2002) replied with 21 points for Albania.
Kosovo - Austria 79-72
Kosovo held off Austria to open win count in Group B. They went on a 25-10 run in the first period to take a comfortable lead. Austria narrowed the distance in the next periods but could not avoid the loss at the end. Don Polloshka (171-PG-2002) provided 18 points and 11 assists for Kosovo. Bardh Istrefi (204-PF-2004) added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Nordin Kapic (203-C-2003) answered with 29 points and 13 rebounds for Austria.
Slovakia - Switzerland 60-77
Switzerland outgunned Slovakia to ensure 2-2 record in Group D. Switzerland opened a 42-28 halftime lead. They ignited a massive 26-10 run in the third term to clear off for good. Ryan Muhr (195-SF-2002) provided 16 points, while Marco Matasic (183-G-2002) and Jamal George (185-PG-2002) added 15 points each for Switzerland. David Novak (195-F-2003) answered with 15 points and 9 rebounds for Slovakia.
Tags : EEMI LUUKKONEN, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS U20 BASKETBALL
