| 21.08.2010
Czech Republic will head into next summer's EuroBasket Division B campaign as the only unbeaten team in the competition and with the task of defending their perfect record after they quite literally worked overtime for a thrilling 99-92 victory in Switzerland.
Led by Petr Benda's 25 points and a nice cameo of 13 points and 8 rebounds by Lubos Barton, the visitors won a real shoot-out with both sides not exactly shy from downtown. Greg Brunner was once again the stand-out for the home team with 27 points.
Also in Group C, Slovakia are hot the heels of their neighbours after hammering visiting Cyprus by 85-58. Martin Rancik registered a healthy 19 points and 6 rebounds while Anton Gavel continues to light it up from outside with another three triples in his 15 point haul.
However, the biggest clash in Division B arguably took place in Baku where Azerbaijan had their unbeaten record smashed in spectacular style by visiting Sweden who came out on top 101-73 after a blistering final quarter and another phenomenal performance by Jonas Jerebko.
With the scores tied 41-41 at the half, Sweden edged themselves into a handy 7 point lead at the end of the third period and then exploded with 38 points during the last quarter to leave the hosts stunned. Jerebko claimed 35 points and 10 rebounds while Anton Saks added a valuable 20 points for the winning team.
Sweden head a three-way tie at the top of Group B after Romania fought back to secure a third win in a row with an exciting 80-79 last gasp win in Belarus.
Trailing by double-digits at the half, Romania left with the win after a fine second half comeback which culminated in a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Auerlian Dumitrescu - ironically his only basket of the game. It left 2,000 home fans frustrated and also Pavel Ulyanko who recorded 17 points and 8 rebounds for Belarus. Meanwhile Mihai Silvasan definitely had the hot-hand for Romania - he drained 5 triples in the game. Luxembourg meanwhile were hoping it might be a case of third time lucky when they hosted Austria but an 103-72 defeat means they will now head into next summer still without a win to their name in Group A. They were put to the sword by a host of impressive performances in the Austrian line-up but none more so than a flawless perimeter shooting display by Christoph Nagler who made five of five from downtown. |
|
| |
