Division B. Romania celebrate title in Pitesti

FINAL

Romania - Ukraine 80-58
Romania are Division B winners in Pitesti. The hosts overcame Ukraine in the title game tonight. Romania dominated from start to finish. The home side grabbed a 43-30 halftime lead. They went on a 21-13 rally in the third period to clear off for good. Denis Badalau (202-F/G-2006) provided 22 points, while Andrei Oinaru (203-F/C-2005) added 14 points and 6 rebounds for the champions. Pavlo Karasov (203-F-2004) answered with 11 points for Ukraine.

3-4 Place

Finland - Holland 73-56
Finland clinched Division A promotion as they beat Netherlands to step onto the pedestal in Pitesti. Finland established a 43-28 halftime lead. They kept Netherlands at bay throughout the second half and raced to the victory. Oliver Kanden (197-SF-2004) posted 17 points, while Tuukka Harsila (192-G/F-2004) and Juuso Salmi recorded 12 points each for the winners. Stef Van Bussel (208-C-2004) replied with 13 points and 12 rebounds for Netherlands.

5-6 Place

Hungary - Georgia 79-96
Georgia earned the fifth place in Romania. They fired past Hungary behind 27 points from Giorgi Ochkhikidze (190-PG-2004, agency: BIG) delivered 27 points. Georgia trailed by two points after ten minutes. But they went on a 50-39 second half run to ice the victory. Giorgi Sulaberidze (201-F/C-2004) banked in 26 points for Georgia. Peter Csendes (186-G-2004, agency: 6th Man Basketball Agency) and Kornel Csuti (205-F/C-2004) posted 13 points apiece for Hungary.

7-8 Place

Portugal - Slovakia 74-60
Portugal defeated Slovakia to earn the 7th position in Pitesti. Slovakia entered the second half up by seven points. But Portugal went on a 45-24 second half run to secure the victory. Luis Silva (183-F-2004) and Filipe Dionisio (200-F-2004, agency: Promo Sport ID) accounted for 13 points each for Portugal. Alex Krajcovic (197-F-2004) replied with 16 points for Slovakia.

9-10 Place

Croatia - Bulgaria 60-71
Bulgaria toppled Croatia to earn the 9th place. Croatia grabbed a 14-11 lead after ten minutes. However Bulgaria responded with a 25-10 run in the third stanza to surge ahead for good. Iliyan Pishtikov (192-F-2004, agency: Tolakh Tsimur) produced 20 points for Bulgaria. Ivan Bogdanovic (205-G-2004, agency: AltusBasket) accounted for 24 points for Croatia.

11-12 Place

Estonia - United Kingdom 84-83 OT
Estonia nipped Great Britain in overtime to claim the 11th place. Great Britain led by six points after three quarters. But Estonia held their opponents to just 12 points in the fourth period to force overtime. Estonia then sank 11 points in the extra quarter to eke out victory. Aleksander Tassa (195-SG-2004) and Rasmus Andre (188-SF-2004) provided 18 points apiece for Estonia. Latrell Davis (190-G-2005) notched 21 points for Great Britain.

13-14 Place

Ireland - Latvia 48-58
Latvia earned the 13th position at the tournament as they rallied past Ireland. Latvia posted a 34-28 halftime lead. They held Ireland to just 20 points in the second half and raced to the win. Rihards Berkolds (192-SG-2004) tossed in 16 points, while Peteris Pinnis (214-C-2004) added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the winners. Isaiah Ogunbare (203-C-2004) answered with 12 points for Ireland.

15-16 Place

Kosovo - Sweden 63-73
Sweden outscored Kosovo to finish 15th in Pitesti. Sweden piled up a 45-29 halftime advantage. Kosovo narrowed the gap in the second half but could not avoid the loss. William Holmstrom (190-G-2005) produced 21 points, while Vilhelm Bodingh and Villiam Garcia (202-SG-2004) added 10 points each for Sweden. Jon Ismajli (195-SG-2005) responded with 14 points for Kosovo.

17-18 Place

Switzerland - Albania 94-51
Switzerland cruised past Albania to claim the 17th place. Switzerland built a 46-17 halftime lead and never looked back en route to the win. Dylan Ducommun-dit-Verron (191-G-2004) finished with 15 points for Switzerland. Arden Begaj (213-C/F-2005) responded with 12 points for Albania.

19-20 Place

Azerbaijan - Armenia 61-71
Armenia wrapped up their campaign with the win over Azerbaijan. Arayik Gevorgyan came up with 17 points as Armenia clinched the 19th position. Armenia went on a 39-31 second half rally to snatch the win. Erik Karakhanyan contributed 16 points for Armenia. Rashid Abbasov (196-F-2004) tossed in 18 points for Azerbaijan.