European Championships (FIBA EuroBasket) Qualifier (2019)
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Romania upset Slovakia to clinch qualification - Aug 21, 2019 |
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Slovakia - Romania 74:77 Romania ensured their EuroBasket Qualifiers berth. They beat Slovakia in Bratislava tonight to clinch the top position in Group F of Pre-Qualifiers. Bogdan Popa (212-C/F-97) posted 14 points to lead the winners. Slovakia needed to win by as many as 17 points to qualify. They got to a strong start building a 23:19 lead after ten minutes. But Romania quickly silenced the home crowd. They ignited a 28:9 run in the second term to ensure a 47:32 halftime lead. Slovakia narrowed the deficit in the second half but could not rescue the game. Radu Paliciuc (200-G/F-88) notched 13 points for Romania. Vladimir Brodziansky (210-F-94, college: TCU, agency: Octagon Europe) delivered 17 points and 8 rebounds for Slovakia. Tags : BOGDAN POPA, SCM TIMISOARA, ROMANIAN BASKETBALL |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Switzerland drub Iceland to advance into next round - Aug 21, 2019 |
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Switzerland - Iceland 109:85 Switzerland secured the 2021 EuroBasket Qualifiers appearance. They knocked down Iceland by 24 points to secure Pre-Qualifiers Group H top position. Roberto Kovac (190-SG-90) drilled 29 points to pace hosts. Switzerland needed at least a 20-point victory heading into this one. And they had a mountain to climb after the first period as Iceland jumped to a 29:25 lead. But the Swiss side had their gear ready. The hosts unloaded 29 points in the second term to ensure a 7-point halftime lead. They stretched the margin at 11-point mark entering the fourth quarter. Switzerland unleashed 32 points in the final stanza to ensure a decisive victory. Jonathan Kazadi (193-G-91) tossed in 21 points and issued 9 assists for the home side. Martin Hermannsson (191-G-94, college: LIU Brooklyn) replied with 28 points for Iceland. Tags : ROBERTO KOVAC, LIONS DE GENEVE, SWISS BASKETBALL |
| EuroBasket 2021 pre-qualifying: Great Britain beat Kosovo to qualify - Aug 18, 2019 |
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Great Britain qualified for the main draw for EuroBasket 2021 with a comprehensive 101-79 victory over Kosovo in Manchester. Myles Hesson (198-F-90) and Luke Nelson (191-G-95, college: UC Irvine) led GB's scoring with 19 points each while Gabriel Olaseni (211-C-91, college: Iowa) added 18. Ashley Hamilton (201-F-88, college: Loyola Mary, agency: Court Side) and Gareth Murray (201-F-84, college: Kalamazoo Valley CC) also hit double digits as Nate Reinking's men secured top spot in their group. GB did the hard work in the first two quarters, opening a 22-point lead, and Kosovo could find no way back. The win means GB can now prepare for games against Montenegro, Germany and France in the next qualifying phase. After scrappy wins in their previous two games, GB proved they had used their week without a game wisely by coming out of the blocks with speed and assurance. They won the first quarter 24-12 with Hesson, the captain, again leading the way with 10 points and three assists that resulted in seven more points. A run of four three-pointers in the second quarter, including two from veteran forward Gareth Murray, gave GB a 38-20 lead and they were more than 20 points ahead at half-time. Kosovo, big winners over Luxembourg in midweek, were unable to find their shooting touch in the third quarter and the lead was 85-62 when Nelson splashed a three in the fourth quarter on an assist from Hesson. Both were benched for the final exchanges as Reinking's team qualified with a game to spare. Reinking, a 2012 Olympian with GB, has started with three wins as head coach - with a chance of a fourth in the game in Luxembourg City on Wednesday. "One of the biggest things was the way we moved the ball," he said. "We had 32 assists in the game and the way they shared the ball and played together was fun to see. "From day one I've said just get better every day and as you've seen, the way they got better every game - that's a testament to them, they came together unbelievably." GB forward Ovie Soko (201-PF-91, college: Duquesne), ruled out of a playing role because of a late release from his appearance on ITV's Love Island, was at the game but Nelson said this had not distracted the team in the preparation period. "We're all happy for Ovie but we focus on what we do on the court," said the Spain-based guard. "Ovie's been around the team and there have been cameras here but you learn to enjoy that stuff and the next day you get back at practice - as pros you have to be able to turn that off and on." Courtesy of: bbc.com |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Denmark beat Belarus to qualify - Aug 17, 2019 |
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Denmark - Belarus 69:66 Denmark clinched their 2021 EuroBasket Qualifiers tickets as they beat Belarus in Copenhagen. Gabriel Lundberg (193-G-94) sank a three-pointer with 6 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the crucial win for the hosts. Belarus got to a strong start. The visitors posted a 17:7 lead after ten minutes. They extended the lead to as many as 12 points at the big break 37:25. But Denmark turned things around in the second half. The hosts erased the deficit and tied things up at 66 late in regulation. Then Gabriel Lundberg followed with a triple to ice the win for the home side. He finished with 27 points for Denmark. Kevin Larsen (207-C-93, college: GWU) contributed 18 points for Denmark. Maksim Salash (206-C/F-96) responded with 17 points and 7 rebounds for Belarus. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Slovakia upset Cyprus in Nicosia - Aug 15, 2019 |
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Cyprus - Slovakia 79:83 Slovakia posted the second win in 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers Group F. Vladimir Brodziansky (210-F-94, college: TCU, agency: Octagon Europe) and Michal Batka (204-C-87) posted 13 points each for the winners. Slovakia claimed a 22:19 lead after ten minutes. Cyprus denied the deficit in the second term. Cyprus eked out a 38:37 halftime advantage. The hosts boosted the lead at 3-point mark heading into the fourth quarter. Slovakia however sank 28 points in the fourth term and snatched a tough win at the end. Jaroslav Musil (192-G-89) had 12 points for the visitors. Panagiotis Markou (189-G-96) responded with 21 points for Cyprus. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Iceland nip Switzerland in Reykjavik - Aug 11, 2019 |
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Iceland - Switzerland 83:82 Iceland eked out a narrow home win over Switzerland to gain the first win at the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers Group H. Martin Hermannsson (191-G-94, college: LIU Brooklyn) sank a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the win for the hosts. Switzerland posted a 25:19 lead after the opening frame. Iceland slowed their opponents down in the second period. The hosts pulled within 4 points at the big break 39:43. The teams stayed neck and neck throughout the second half. Roberto Kovac gave the visitors a narrow 82:81 lead with 5 seconds remaining. But Martin Hermannsson came up with late heroics to ice the win for the home team. Jon Gudmundsson (193-G-96) and Tryggvi Hlinason (215-C-97) finished with 18 points each, while Martin Hermannsson contributed 16 points for the winners. Jonathan Kazadi (193-G-91) dropped game-high 23 points for Switzerland. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Denmark upset Belarus in Minsk - Aug 7, 2019 |
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Belarus - Denmark 78:81 Denmark earned the first victory at the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers Group E. Gabriel Lundberg (193-G-94) notched 30 points to pace the winners. Denmark got to a quick start. The Scandinavian team posted a 27:15 lead after ten minutes. Belarus sank 26 points in the second term to pull within 3 points at halftime. Denmark stiffened defensively in the third term. They boosted the margin at 8-point mark at the final break. Belarus cut the distance in the fourth stanza but could not avoid the loss. Kevin Larsen (207-C-93, college: GWU) chipped in 19 points for Denmark. Maalik Wayns (185-PG-91, college: Villanova) produced 15 points for Belarus. |
| Draw results in for FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers - Jul 22, 2019 |
| The Draw Ceremony for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers took place on Monday at Munich Airport. The ceremony featured FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak and members of the National Federations, with former Georgian national team player and current Georgian Basketball Federation Vice-President Vladimir Boisa and Czech national team member Vojtech Hruban performing the draw. 32 countries will play the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, including the hosts of the Final Round - Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, and Italy. The teams were drawn into eight groups of four teams as follows: Group A: Slovakia/Cyprus/Romania, Poland, Israel, Spain Group B: Italy, North Macedonia, Estonia, Russia Group C: Czech Republic, Belgium, Lithuania, Albania/Belarus/Denmark Group D: Croatia, Turkey, Netherlands, Sweden Group E: Finland, Georgia, Switzerland/Portugal/Iceland, Serbia Group F: Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Ukraine Group G: Germany, Montenegro, Luxembourg/Kosovo/United Kingdom, France Group H: Greece, Latvia, Bosnia and Bulgaria. The three highest-placed teams from each group, except the groups which include the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 hosts, will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. For the groups containing the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 hosts, the host and the two other highest placed teams will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. The Qualifiers' field will be completed when the Third Round of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers concludes, with the teams facing each other over six game days from August 3-21, 2019. The four group winners will complete the 32 team field for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, joining the four teams from the Pre-Qualifiers Second Round and the 24 teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers Second Round. The FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers will be played across three windows on February 17-25, 2020, November 23-1 December, 2020 and February 15-23, 2021 with two games played by each team in every window. Click here for the full competition schedule. Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, and Italy were confirmed as the four co-host nations of FIBA EuroBasket 2021 on July 15. Courtesy of: fiba.basketball |
| Seedings confirmed ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers Draw - Jul 20, 2019 |
| FIBA Europe revealed the seedings for the draw of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers to be held on Monday, July 22, 2019. The event will take place at Munich Airport and will be live streamed from 12:15 (GMT+2) on YouTube. 32 countries will play the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, including the hosts of the Final Round - Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, and Italy. The teams will be drawn into eight groups of four teams. The groups will be conducted in a round-robin system, with each team playing all other teams in the respective group in home and away games. The three highest-placed teams from each group, except the groups which include the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 hosts, will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. For the groups containing the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 hosts, the host and the two other highest placed teams will qualify for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021. Draw procedure and restrictions: Teams from Seed 1 will be drawn into the groups with teams from Seed 4, Seed 5 and Seed 8 into Groups A, C, E and GTeams from Seed 2 will be drawn into the groups with teams from Seed 3, Seed 6 and Seed 7 into Groups B, D, F and HA maximum of one host of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Final Round can be drawn in any group Seedings: Seed 1: Spain, France, Serbia, Lithuania Seed 2: Slovenia, Greece, Croatia, Russia Seed 3: Italy, Latvia, Turkey, Ukraine Seed 4: Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland Seed 5: Georgia, Montenegro, Belgium, Israel Seed 6: Hungary, Bosnia, Netherlands, North Macedonia Seed 7: Estonia, Bulgaria, Sweden, Austria Seed 8: Albania/Belarus/Denmark, Slovakia/Cyprus/Romania, Luxembourg/Kosovo/United Kingdom, Switzerland/Portugal/Iceland. The seedings for the draws for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers and FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Final Rounds are based on the FIBA World Ranking presented by NIKE. The Qualifiers' field will be completed when the Third Round of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers concludes, with the teams facing each other over six game days from August 3-21, 2019. The four group winners will complete the 32 team field for the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, joining the four teams from the Pre-Qualifiers Second Round and the 24 teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 European Qualifiers Second Round. The FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers will be played across three windows on February 17-25, 2020, November 23-1 December, 2020 and February 15-23, 2021 with two games played by each team in every window, following the rescheduling of the November 2019 window by the FIBA Executive Committee. Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, and Italy were confirmed as the four co-host nations of FIBA EuroBasket 2021 at the official announcement ceremony held on Monday, July 15 in Munich. FIBA EuroBasket 2021, the first edition of the event since it moved to a four-year cycle, will take place in the month of September. Courtesy of: fiba.basketball |
| Belgium advance to FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers with a perfect record - Feb 24, 2019 |
| Belgium advanced to FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers with a perfect record as they won Group C with a 4-0 record. In the last game they edged Iceland 90-62. The hosts managed to win all the quarters of the game in Mons. They opened the game with a narrow 23-22 lead and had a successful 23-11 third quarter. Jean Salumu (193-SG-90) top-scored for the winners with 15 points and Vincent Kesteloot (201-F-95) brought 13. Alexandre Libert (194-G-90) nailed 11, whilst Ismael Bako (208-C-95) ended up with 10. Tryggvi Hlinason (215-C-97) replied with 17 points in the losing effort and Elvar Fridriksson (180-PG-94, college: Barry, agency: Inception Sports) as well as Martin Hermannsson (191-G-94, college: LIU Brooklyn) had 12 each. |
| Great Britain win, but lose out - Feb 24, 2019 |
| Great Britain defeated Austria 78-75 in their closing EuroBasket pre-qualifier in Vienna. A diligent victory, paced by 19 points and nine rebounds from Ovie Soko (201-PF-91, college: Duquesne), yet not enough to overhaul their hosts for first place in their group with Alberto Lorenzo's side required to triumph by 14 to earn an automatic berth in the main EuroBasket 2021 qualifiers. Falling short of that target means they will face Luxembourg and Kosovo this summer in a three-team third round qualifying group. It will be played in a home-and-away format, with the teams facing each other over six game days from August 3-21. Only the group winner from that will advance into the main qualifying round which begins in December. Failure to progress would leave GB with no competitive games for two years until the pre-qualifying round for the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Tense times lie ahead. Austria effectively extended their aggregate advantage with a 12-5 start and although an immediate six unanswered points awoke the visitors, there were shades of last November in Manchester. Sylven Landesberg (198-F/G-90, college: Virginia, agency: BeoBasket) had 48 points in Austria's away victory and he scored nine of his game-high 26 here in the opening period, bullying his way to the line where the American-born wing was 11/11 at half-time. Up 27-19 after the opening period, the hosts surged as much as 12 ahead when Marvin Ogunsipe (204-F-96) converted a jumper. Yet a 10-2 run for GB forced Austria to take a time out, trimming the home lead cut to 40-37 with 2:54 remaining before it was re-extended to 48-44 at the break. In his second cap, Conner Washington was as impressive as he was in his debut last Thursday against Cyprus. Under his watch, Sylven Landesberg was limited to one field goal attempt in the third and it paved the way for a GB surge. Dan Clark hit a three-pointer as GB drew level at 51-51 and then the visitors secured their first lead through a Soko jumper which was quickly extended by Teddy Okereafor (193-G-92, college: Rider) amid a 7-0 run. Momentum shifts. But not irrevocably. Okereafor and Ashley Hamilton (201-F-88, college: Loyola Mary, agency: Court Side) were locked on successive drives to basket with Thomas Klepeisz (186-PG-91) draining an off-balance three in between. But Hamilton converted on a breakaway and at the conclusion of the third, GB were left needing to win the fourth by 12 points or more with a narrow 62-60 cushion. The final push came. Nine points without reply were capped by a three from Washington. It could even have been more but for squandered drives. With four minutes remaining, the prize was teasingly within reach with a 72-63 advantage. But even with Myles Hesson (198-F-90) chipping in 18 points and nine rebounds, it was not to be, with a 6-2 home spurt doing just enough to deny Lorenzo's men enough of a margin as time ebbed away. Courtesy of: mvp247.com |
| EuroBasket pre-qualifying: Great Britain beat Cyprus 75-61 in Nicosia - Dec 4, 2018 |
| Great Britain's men kept alive their hopes of winning their EuroBasket pre-qualifying group with a hard-fought 75-61 win over Cyprus in Nicosia. Myles Hesson (198-F-90) finished with 21 - his highest score for GB - while Ovie Soko (201-PF-91, college: Duquesne) added 14 and Gabe Olaseni 12. Britain trailed early to a team playing a second qualifier in as many nights, but superior defence and Hesson and Soko's scoring threat were decisive. GB will complete their qualifying programme with two games in February. Austria's 81-71 win against Cyprus on Sunday meant GB needed to beat Cyprus home and away, then win by 15 points in Austria. Guard Andrew Lawrence (185-PG-90, college: Charleston, agency: Two Points), the second-top scorer against Austria, missed Monday's game as he is nursing a back injury. Cyprus again started the game shooting well and took a 17-9 lead before the introduction of Daniel Clark (210-F/C-88) and Hesson off the bench to support Soko's efforts, and an increased defensive effort, produced an 18-9 run which gave them the lead with just over four minutes left in the first half. Leading 37-34 at the interval, GB extended the lead with a 14-4 run with threes from Hesson, Teddy Okereafor and Gareth Murray before leading 56-44 after three quarters. Hesson featured strongly in GB's 10-5 start to the final quarter as they restored their confidence and gained a much-needed win after the home defeat against group leaders Austria. Soko said: "There aren't many things that you can change in just a few days but rebounding and turnovers - these are things you get control of. I thought we were very smart about taking care of turnovers and playing better defence." Coach Alberto Lorenzo: "It's all about the defence for us - we say that a lot. If you stop a score, it gives you confidence to run your offence." Courtesy of: bbc,com |
| Hesson ignites Great Britain charge - Dec 3, 2018 |
| Great Britain secured a precious 75-61 victory over Cyprus in Nicosia. It kept the visitors' hopes alive of earning a place in the main qualifying round for EuroBasket 2021 although they will still need to win the return tie with the now-ousted Cypriots on February 21 - and then, three days later, triumph in Austria by at least 15 points. A tough ask. Yet even against one of the minnows of Europe, this still counted as a priceless minor renaissance though after the pummelling in Manchester last Thursday. Shuffling his line-up, perhaps with defence in mind, head coach Alberto Lorenzo gambled on replacing his captain Dan Clark amid his starters with Ovie Soko (201-PF-91, college: Duquesne). And with Justin Robinson (174-PG-95, college: Monmouth) slotting in for the injured Andrew Lawrence (185-PG-90, college: Charleston, agency: Two Points), there was initially a more physical threat than was shown in Thursday's meek display against Austria. It took a while for a new-look rotation to bed in. GB trailed 20-12 late in the first quarter but seven unanswered points slashed the deficit. And although the hosts pulled ahead again, Clark, Soko, Teddy Okereafor and the influential Myles Hesson (198-F-90) all hit threes in a 16-2 run for GB which propelled them 37-28 ahead late in the second. The guests shot 6/11 from long range in the first half but gave up a corner three on the half-time buzzer to George Theocharides which cut their advantage to 37-34. However threes from Gareth Murray (201-F-84, college: Kalamazoo Valley CC) and Okereafor bookended an 8-0 burst in the third and Josh Steel provided a fine cameo off the bench in his second international appearance. Valuably, Myles Hesson was omnipresent, defending diligently and adding eight of his game-high 21 points in a quarter that ended with GB 56-44 in front. Given that Austria's 81-71 win over Cyprus on Sunday meant GB had to beat the Cypriots or be assured of dropping into a last-chance qualifying series next August with Europe's lowest-placed teams, the stakes were ultra-high. Lorenzo's side collectively held its nerve. And ultimately, they were able to coast towards victory, with Soko adding 14 points and Okereafor's mature performance delivering eight points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals. New York-born forward Tyrell Biggs (203-F-86, college: Pittsburgh) had a game-high 16 points for Cyprus who will definitely now be forced to take their long shot at EuroBasket 2021 through the additional qualifying round. Courtesy of: mvp247.com |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Belgium upset Portugal to enter next stage - Dec 2, 2018 |
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Portugal - Belgium 60:70 Belgium advanced into 2021 EuroBasket Qualifying Round. They edged Portugal tonight in the Pre-Qualifiers to punch those tickets. Sam Van-Rossom (188-PG-86) produced 17 points to lead the charge. Portugal grabbed a 24:17 lead ten minutes into the game. The hosts boosted the lead in the second frame. Portugal established a 41:31 halftime lead. Belgium cut the distance at 6-point mark at the final break. They followed with a stunning 20:4 run in the fourth term to ice the decisive victory. Ismael Bako (208-C-95) delivered 15 points and 7 rebounds for Belgium. Claudio Fonseca (208-C-89) replied with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Portugal. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Sweden rout Belarus in Uppsala - Nov 29, 2018 |
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Sweden - Belarus 87:59 Sweden rout Belarus in Uppsala at the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers. The hosts posted a comfortable 87-59 win for a 1-1 record. Belarus grabbed a 20-19 lead at the end of the first period, while Sweden needed a 19-9 run to take the lead and never looked behind. Moreover the hosts posted a 26-16 burst in the third period and closed the game with the final 23-14 surge. Ludvig Hakanson (190-PG-96, agency: Octagon Europe) top-scored for the winners with 21 points, while Chris Czerapowicz (201-G-91, college: Davidson), Alexander Lindqvist (205-F-91, agency: Interperformances) and Simon Birgander (209-F/C-97, agency: Dynamics Global Management) notched 11 each. Devon Saddler (183-PG-91, college: Delaware) and Aliaksandr Kudrautsau (190-SG-80) replied with 13 points each in a loss as Belarus fell at 0-2 record. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Denmark outlast Belarus in Minsk - Sep 14, 2018 |
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Belarus - Denmark 94:98 (2OT) Denmark secured a narrow road win over Belarus in the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers. Denmark therefore improved at 1-0 record in Group A. Gabriel Lundberg (193-G-94) sank 27 points to lead the winning side. Belarus looked the dominant side in the first half. The hosts piled up a 44:40 halftime lead. They went on a 15:7 run in the third term to accumulate what seemed a comfortable 12-point cushion. But Denmark used a 23:11 run in the fourth period to send the game into overtime. The first overtime did not decide on the winner but Denmark sank 16 points in the second one to snatch the victory. Shavon Shields (201-F/G-94, college: Nebraska) had 26 points in the win. Vitali Liutych (198-SG-92) answered with 22 points for Belarus. |
| Danish youngsters survive dramatic finish in Albania, remain perfect in Pre-Qualifiers - Jul 1, 2018 |
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Having already secured passage to the Second Round, coach Erez Bittman decided to give his younger players minutes in Albania. They delivered him an 86-78 win. Turning point: Klaudio Ndoja (201-F/G-85) nailed a three-pointer that gave Albania a 78-77 lead with just under three minutes to go. But Albania would not score the rest of the way, as Jonathan Gilling (203-F-91, college: Arizona St.) scored five straight for Denmark, leaving Jonas Bergstedt (210-C-91) and Darko Jukic (199-F-90, agency: PEPI SPORT) with an opportunity to close this one out. Game hero: Darko Jukic was superb in this Window, and he showed he can do a bit of everything in his 23-point outing. Jukic connected on 10-of-14 from the field, so coach Bittman and the rest of the team won't mind his 0-of-4 shooting from the charity stripe. Stats don't lie: Denmark were dominant inside, scoring 52 points in the paint, compared to 34 of Albania in that same column. They were once again running with pace, with a 22-9 edge in fast-break points. Game notes: Denmark finish the First Round as the only unbeaten team of the FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Pre-Qualifiers. Albania end it as the only team without a single win to their name. They said: "My team was coming off of a third win, and we were on a low to start the game. Our defense was not successful at times, and that opened up a space for a close game." - Erez Bittman , Denmark head coach Source: FIBA |
| Luxembourg stun Cyprus, send Armenia through to the Second Round - Jul 1, 2018 |
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Cyprus had it all in their hands, but failed to defeat Luxembourg and book a ticket to the Second Round. The guests celebrate an 89-76 win, which helped Armenia. Turning point: Luxembourg held a double-digit lead most of the game, but Cyprus crawled back within four points to start the final quarter. A 10-2 run by Luxembourg kept Cyprus at bay, and trading buckets the rest of the way meant the visitors were right on course to collect their first win in Group C. Game hero: Alex Laurent (198-PF-93, agency: Court Side) was unstoppable, scoring 29 points on 60 percent shooting from the floor, and he had a helping hand in Bob Melcher (189-G-94), who went all-round for his 19 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds. Stats don't lie: Live by the three, die by the three. Cyprus tried to force their way back from beyond the arc, taking 37 three-point shots compared to 31 shots from inside the arc. They scored on 11 tries, as did the Luxembourgers, but on a much more effective 22 shots taken. Game notes: Cyprus fell to 2-2 in Group C, but a -9 points difference was not good enough for them to take the last ticket to the Second Round. Armenia thus join group winners Portugal, Denmark and MKD as the best second-placed team of the competition, at 2-2 and +3. They said: "It was a big win for us, our first of the competition. We were very close in Portugal, but lost in overtime. We were disappointed then, but we showed a great reaction and shot well to win the game." - Ken Diederich, Luxembourg head coach "We had 22 assists, and less turnovers, we won the rebounding battle and had better efficiency. We won every category in this game. We have a young team and great future." - Alex Laurent, Luxembourg "It is a bad result for us and an unexpected loss. We managed to throw away the big effort we had in November with the win over Portugal, and in February, when we won easily in Luxembourg. Today we threw away a great opportunity." - Pantelis Gavriel , Cyprus head coach Source: FIBA |
| Slovakia sign off with a win, erase Swiss hopes of advancing - Jul 1, 2018 |
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Slovakia collected their first win of the campaign, defeating Switzerland 88-83 at home. That result saw both teams end their run in the First Round. Turning point: Slovakia seemed to be cruising towards the finish line, leading 74-66 with five minutes left to play. But Switzerland had one last run in them, even taking a 77-76 lead on a Roberto Kovac (189-SG-90) three-pointer with three minutes on the game clock. Andre Jones (195-G-90, college: Winthrop, agency: Octagon Europe) saved the day for the hosts, hitting from beyond the line on the next possession, then picking up an assist for Pavol Losonsky (203-F-88, college: Cal-Irvine) layup that put Slovakia back in the driving seat. They never looked back after regaining the lead. Game hero: Andre Jones was not only hitting when it mattered most, he was scoring all game long, finishing with 22 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds. However, he did lose the one-on-one duel with Patrick Baldassarre (200-F/C-86, agency: Players Group), who had 30 points for Switzerland, Jones ended up on the winning side on Sunday. Stats don't lie: Ivan Rudez and Peter Torda will be extremely proud of their team and the composure they kept from start to finish. Slovakia turned the ball over just 2 times in 40 minutes, in such a close encounter, Switzerland's 8 turnovers were costly at the end. Game notes: Switzerland end in second place of Group A, right behind The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, but at 2-2 and -11 points difference, they have no chance of reaching the Second Round as the best second-placed team. Slovakia will join Switzerland in the Third Round, which will start in August 2019, where they will have another chance of reaching FIBA EuroBasket 2021 Qualifiers. They said: "Congratulations to Switzerland, it was a tough battle all 40 minutes. In the last quarter they managed to get back into the game. We are happy that we won. It is a good way to end the Pre-Qualifiers. Congratulations to my players, they played as a team, they played good in defense, that's why we won." - Ivan Rudez, Slovakia head coach "Worst news is that Luxembourg won their game. If we had won, we would have been in the next phase. But we had bad decisions in the last minutes." - Patrick Baldassarre, Switzerland Source: FIBA |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Denmark fire past Armenia, clinch Second Stage berth - Jun 28, 2018 |
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Denmark - Armenia 90:64 Denmark will play in the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifying Second Round. They edged Armenia in Copenhagen tonight to win Group B. Kevin Larsen (207-C-93, college: G.Washington) scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the hosts. Denmark jumped to a 22:16 lead after ten minutes. Armenia responded with a 26:18 run in the second term to spur ahead. But not for long though. Denmark used a massive 28:12 rally in the third period to surge ahead. They followed with a 22:10 spurt in the final quarter to ice the victory. Darko Jukic (199-F-90, agency: PEPI SPORT) tossed in 17 points, while Jonas Bergstedt (210-C-91) had 15 points in the win. A.J. Hess (201-G/F-94, college: S.Dakota St.) replied with 20 points for Armenia. Andrew Chrabascz (203-F-94, college: Butler) had 15 points in the loss. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Portugal top Cyprus in Sines - Feb 25, 2018 |
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Portugal - Cyprus 76:64 Portugal claimed the second win in 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers Group C. Tomas Barroso (184-PG-90, agency: Dynamics Global Management) scored 18 points to lead the winners. Portugal grabbed a 20:16 lead after the opening frame. They sank 21 points in the second term to gain a 41:33 halftime lead. Portugal maintained the lead throughout the third term. They entered the final period up by 9 points. Portugal fired 23 points in the fourth stanza and rallied to the win. Nuno Oliveira (186-PG-89) provided 16 points, while Joao Soares (202-F-90, agency: Interperformances) added 13 points for the home side. Vassilis Kounas (194-G-84) replied with 16 points for Cyprus. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Switzerland hold off Slovakia in overtime - Feb 23, 2018 |
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Switzerland - Slovakia 83:80 (OT) Switzerland defeated Slovakia in overtime at the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifying Round. Arnaud Cotture (203-PF-95) scored 23 points to pace the hosts as they improved at 1-1 record in Group A. Slovakia grabbed a 38:31 halftime lead. They maintained the lead throughout the third term. Slovakia entered the fourth period up by 8 points 60:52. Switzerland however limited the visitors to just 11 points in the fourth frame and forced overtime. The hosts added 12 points in the extra period and got away with a narrow win. Marko Mladjan (205-PF-93) netted 21 points and grabbed 18 rebounds, while Roberto Kovac (189-SG-90) added 13 points in the win. Peter Sedmak (207-F/C-85, agency: 011 Sports) answered with 19 points for Slovakia. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: FYR Macedonia celebrate win in Poprad - Nov 23, 2017 |
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Slovak Republic - FYR Macedonia 66:74 FYR Macedonia claimed the first win at the 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifying Round. They upset Slovak Republic in Group A. Richard Hendrix (203-C-86, college: Alabama, agency: Stanislav Ryzhov) tallied 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the visitors. FYR Macedonia eked out a 23:22 lead after the opening quarter. They stormed in front in the second term. The visitors held Slovak Republic to just 8 points to ensure a 44:30 halftime lead. FYR Macedonia stayed in charge throughout the third term. The visitors entered the final period up by 16 points and never looked back en route to the win. Vojdan Stojanovski (194-G/F-87, agency: BeoBasket) provided 20 points in the victory. Peter Sedmak (207-F/C-85, agency: 011 Sports) answered with 20 points for Slovak Republic. Kyle Kuric (193-G-89, college: Louisville) had 11 points in the loss. |
| 2021 EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers: Armenia beat Albania in Tirana - Nov 23, 2017 |
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Albania - Armenia 63-80 Armenia beat Albania 80-63 in 2021 Eurobasket Pre-Qualifirers. They grabbed a 28-18 lead at the National Olympic Centre in Tirana and led 4 points at the halftime. Moreover Armenia pushed the tempo for good in the second half and came up with two confident victories. They posted a 23-16 rally in the third period and closed the game with a final 15-9 run. Ryan Boatright (183-PG-92, college: Connecticut) stepped up with 21 points and Albert Tatevosyan (194-F-93) nailed 20. Andrew Chrabascz (203-F-94, college: Butler) posted 18, whilst Fischer delivered 11. Klaudio Ndoja (201-F/G-85) replied with 18 points in the losing effort and Franko Bushati (189-SG-85, agency: Two Points) had 16. |
