15.09.2011

Invincible Russia Sail Into Semis

Turning Point: Seven points behind with less than two minutes to play, Milos Teodosic had an open three-pointer to pile some pressure on Russia going into crunch time, but he couldn't make it and consequently Russia had a slightly easier task in closing out the game.

Game Hero: Andrei Kirilenko finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds to go with an excellent six assists and four steals.

Stats Don't Lie: Russia produced eighteen big defensive stops in the form of 12 steals and 6 blocks.

Russia chalked up a ninth consecutive win to take the last semi-final spot and preserve their status as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

A strong performance by Andrei Kirilenko was at the heart of their 77-67 victory which means the 2007 champions will meet France in a battle to make the Final once again.

The game started at a high tempo with both teams turning the ball over three times inside the first four minutes in what was an untidy and frenetic.

While Russian coach David Blatt was visibly frustrated at the offensive execution, or lack of it, at least defensive effort around the basket was there, evidenced by three blocked shots in the period.

Two were down to Timofey Mozgov who added to his good work by throwing down a dunk as Russia moved 12-7 ahead.

Serbia meanwhile were finding the Russian defence difficult to break down with only Milos Teodosic and Dusko Savanovic enjoying any scoring success during the opening quarter as they trailed 16-12.

It became an uphill struggle when Russia scored the first seven points of the second period. Then, when Victor Khryapa found his range and sunk his second three-ball of the contest to make it 29-17, the game was in danger of drifting away from Serbia.

Dusan Ivkovic needed his team to dig deep and some good work by center Kosta Perovic shaped a critical 7-0 run as they stayed in touch at 34-27 heading to the locker rooms.

Things improved further after the re-start as Serbia rattled off 11 of the first 16 points including a three by Milan Macvan to get to within a point at 39-38 and ask questions of Russia.

But, they held their nerve and finished strongly, a spectacular block by Andrei Kirilenko and buzzer beating lay-up by Aleksey Shved allowing them to take a 54-48 advantage into the final quarter.

When Mozgov fouled out, Serbia sensed it could be their night after all but when Kirilenko got a big time lucky drop off the rim to make it 64-54, it suggested it wasn't to be and so it proved.

Teodosic had a few looks in the closing stage to sink some triples but couldn't get one to drop. Despite his 20 points, it was a mixed night for the guard who turned the ball over nine times.

Serbia will now meet Greece as they aim to keep their Olympic dreams alive.

15.09.2011

Quotes Russia vs. Serbia

Serbia Forward Dusko Savanovic:
"It was a very important game for us, but we didn't play at the level we were supposed to play if we wanted to win this game. They played very fast and aggressive basketball. Russia jumped and grabbed rebounds over our heads. We made too many turnovers and that's why we didn't win this game. We had some injuries but that's not an excuse. We'll try to forget this game and focus on the one we have early tomorrow, because we still want to make it to the Olympics."

Serbia Coach Dusan Ivkovic:
"I wish to congratulate Russia who were better tonight. They deserve this victory. The 10 point difference doesn't reflect the game as we were close to them for 40 minutes. Yet tonight was very difficult to play against them as they scored so many points from second chances and our turnovers. 37 of their 77 points were from these two aspects and that's a lot. Tonight if we had more focus we could have won the game. We missed Rasic and Tepic due to injuries and it's very difficult for us to organize our game without them, but it's not an excuse of course. The next game is maybe the most important, and we have a very short time to get ready for it. We will work hard to do the best to be ready for it, because we want to be in the Olympics. We need to show character to win tomorrow. We won't play the semi-finals as we expected, but we'll play to stay in the race to the Olympics."

Russia Head Coach David Blatt:
"Two years ago we played in the same phase against the same group of great players and the same great coach and we lost, as i said then, by a better team. We moved forward from there. We provided our players with the kind of teaching and culture it takes to build a successful national team. We got back two of our main players - Kirilenko and Khryapa - who didn't play in 2009, and you saw tonight how important they are, but the story is the other players who matured and are now a higher level basketball players. It's a sweet win, but the joy is short, because we play tomorrow in the semi-finals. We've had a great run so far. Today's victory is important but tomorrow's game is more important now, and we'll need to be ready. We asked Kirilenko to play within the system but seems like his best moments are coming not from the structure but from the mind and creativity he has. The lucky thing is that he's not selfish and he's playing for the team. I try to tell him very little how to play, because it seems that I only bother him. He did in the second half some things that I can't coach him to do and Coach Ivkovic can't prepare his players to. I saw France play a couple of times already. They are athletic in every position. They have two elements you look for - a great-great point guard and two players in the middle who can play with their back to the basket. They have very good defenders as well. i don't know how much more than this you need. it's going to be a very difficult game, just like any other game in this level of European Basketball, but we'll be ready and we'll do fine."

Russia Guard Aleksey Shved:
"We played against a very strong team and we won. it's a very exciting win for us. We played with great intensity on defense and stopped Serbia on 67 points. I don't think any other team stopped them on such a low score, and it shows just how well we did on defense today. We don't have a lot of time. Tomorrow we're already playing in the semi-finals and it's going to be a very difficult game. We'll do our best to prepare, and try to beat France to make it to the title game. It was very important for us to win this game and play in the semi-finals because it also means we're going to play next summer to be in the Olympics in case something goes wrong tomorrow versus France."