Euro Basketball 2007...Re-caps ...Wins and Losses

[jack daniel 999 27]

France 69 - Croatia 86

 

Croatia Book Olympic Qualifying Spot

By David Hein

15 September 2007

 

Marko Popovic scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half as a balanced Croatia booked their spot in next summer's pre-Olympic qualifying tournament by beating France 86-69 in the 5th-8th classification round of EuroBasket 2007.

 

The Croatians, who had lost their last four games since beating Spain in the preliminary round, will play the winner of Germany vs Slovenia on Sunday for fifth place.

 

France play the loser of that game in the game for seventh place - which means the final spot in the pre-Olympic event.

 

"We all knew our own role today. We showed a lot of character against France considering yesterday's defeat, which was really painful," said Popovic, referring to Croatia's 74-72 quarter-final loss to Lithuania on two missed foul shots with one second remaining.

 

"But against France we kept up the energy in the final minutes of the game. It's a big deal for us to have clinched this spot. That's why we came here. We knew what we came here for and we achieved it."

 

Zoran Planinic also scored 15 points while Nikola Prkacin had 14 points and Marko Banic and Stanko Barac each scored 12 points for the winners, who shot 56% from the field for the game.

 

France were led by Tony Parker's 18 points and Boris Diaw collected 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. But they shot only 41% from the field and forced Croatia into only nine turnovers.

 

"We know that tomorrow's game is the game for us. And we need to have everyone on the team motivated," said Diaw.

 

"It's difficult to know what happened today in the second half. We were late in reacting and we didnt apply that much pressure out there.We would have preferred to have won this game, but we must continue to work."

 

Early on, Croatia took advantage of a size difference in the paint with Prkacin and Barac helping Jasmin Repesa's team to a 17-7 lead with two minutes left in the first period.

 

The Croatians led 21-13 after one quarter as Prkacin scored eight points and Barac collected six points and six rebounds.

 

Trailing by 12 points - 25-13, Yakhouba Diawarra, Diaw and Yohann Sangare all hit three-pointers in a 13-1 surge to cut the deficit back down to 29-26. But an 18-5 Croatia run gave them a 47-31 lead at the break.

 

France opened the second half with the first 11 points and forced Croatia into four turnovers to trim the margin to 47-42.

 

Marko Popovic answered with three long bombs in spear-heading a 14-3 spurt for a 61-45 Croatia lead.

 

It was 61-50 after three periods.

 

Another Popovic three-pointer pushed the advantage to 68-52 with eight minutes to go. The French got as close as nine points with three minutes left. But Croatia went on a 6-0 run to re-establish a 15-point lead - 79-64 - and put the game to rest.

[jack daniel 999 27]

Good News, Bad News: Day Eleven

By Yarone Arbel

15 September 2007

 

You can't get much more exciting then Friday night's games.

 

It looked like only bad news for Greece as they trailed Slovenia by double-digits with time winding down but anyone who counted them out doesn't know much about Greek basketball.

 

In the end it was bad news for Slovenia and another match-up with Spain in the semi-finals.

 

The Good News

 

Papaloukas

[jack daniel 999 27]

Germany 69 - Slovania 65

 

Germany Find A Way

By Yarone Arbel

15 September 2007

 

Less than 24 hours after their inexplicable loss to Greece last night, Slovenia had a sense of deja-vu.

 

Facing Germany in the 5-8 classification games Slovenia lost 69-65 after a big comeback by their opponent in the last minutes.

 

It wasn't as bad as last night, but once again Slovenia managed to lose a big lead in the

last minutes.

 

Oddly the fourth quarter score from last night, 23-11 against Slovenia, was the exact score of today's last quarter.

 

"We were really disappointed after not playing so great in the last couple of days," said Germany's Demond Greene who had 16 points.

 

"We didn't reach our main goal here which was a medal, but at least we got the ticket to the pre-Olympic tournament."

 

Slovenia played the last game last night and was six seconds short of a historical performance in the semi-finals over favourites Greece, but seemed to have recovered just fine, until the last minutes.

 

Germany on the other hand had one more day to rest and lost by a big margin to Spain in the quarters, so their mental readiness seemed better, and they stepped up in the last minutes.

 

Germany deleted a 60-51 Slovenian lead in the last 5:16 behind an 18-5 run led by Dirk Nowitzki who made 10 of his team's last 12 points and finished the game with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

 

Nowitzki scored seven early points in the first five minutes of the game, as Germany held a 12-6 lead.

 

Slovenia hit a couple of shots from long range, to tie the score and finish the first quarter down 18-16.

 

Germany maintained the lead early in the second quarter, until Slovenia once again found their hot hand in three pointers by Goran Jagodnik and Erazem Lorbek, who gave Slovenia their first lead in the game, 25-23.

 

Nowitzki was there to give Germany the lead back, and turned in 13 first half points, before missing a buzzer beater tip in, but Germany still held a 32-31 lead after twenty minutes.

 

The lead changed hands seven times in the first seven baskets of the third quarter.

 

Steffen Hamann's lay-up made it 39-38 with 5:52 but that was the last German lead for a long time.

 

Jaka Lakovic and Matjaz Smodis led a Slovenian 9-0 run which led to the first double-digit lead of the game.

 

Slovenia missed open shots early in the fourth, and waited more than three and a half minutes before scoring their first fourth quarter points.

 

Despite a big block by Erazem Lorbek on Nowitzki, during that period, Germany came back to minus three, but Smodis and Raso Nesterovic quickly made it a nine point game again, 60-51.

 

Germany once again stepped up their defense and with three hits from long range by Demond Greene, Ademole Okulaja and Nowitzki tied the game at 62-62 with 1:56 on the clock.

 

Lakovic connected on only one of two from the line and then made a turnover, and that's where the deja-vu started.

 

Hamann found an open path to the basket and gave Germany their first lead since his last basket in the 24th minute, and after Okulaja stole a bad pass by Jagodnik, Nowitzki scored a fade-away from the top of the key to make it 66-63 and march for the win.

 

Germany will play Croatia for the fifth spot while France and Slovenia will fight for the seventh place and the last ticket to the pre-Olympic tournament.

[jack daniel 999 27]

Spain Topple Greeks Again

By Dave Hein

15 September 2007

 

A new EuroBasket champion will be crowned in Madrid after reigning world title-holders and hosts Spain dethroned Greece 82-77 in the semi-finals of the 2007 EuroBasket thanks to sterling performances by the Spanish trio of Juan Carlos Navarro, Pau Gasol and Jose Manuel Calderon.

 

The trio combined for 64 points and Calderon's three-pointer and break-away lay-up started and finished a crucial 9-1 run which turned a 67-65 Greece lead into a 74-68 advantage for the Iberians, who advanced to their sixth European final while still waiting for their first continental crown.

 

"We expected this type of game, a really hard one against a really great rival like the defending European champions Greece," said Spain forward Jorge Garbajosa, who collected six points, five rebounds and four assists.

 

"Having won last night (against Slovenia), Greece had a lot of confidence coming into this game. But we showed a lot of character. Those who thought this game would be easy for Spain were mistaken."

 

In Sunday's final at the Palacio de Deportes, Spain will face either Lithuania - who knocked off Spain in the 2003 finale - or Russia, who face off in the second semi-final.

 

Greece will face the loser of that match with the victor on Sunday clinching the bronze medal as well as an automatic berth in the 2008 Olympics.

 

 

[jack daniel 999 27]

Russia 86 - Lithuania 74

 

The Kirilenko Show

By Yarone Arbel

15 September 2007

 

For the first time since 1993 Russia is in the EuroBasket finals, and will get a shot to win the title for the first time since 1985, back when it was still known as the USSR.

 

Russia shocked favorites Lithuania on Saturday night in the Palacio de Deportes as David Blatt led a brilliant group who took control of the game from the tip and never trailed, but on top of it showed great character.

 

Lithuania, coming to this game unbeatable in EuroBasket 2007, chased after the Russian

side from the first moment.

 

They made a heroic comeback from minus 19 to a tied game, but Russia didn't blink for a second.

 

Andrei Kirilenko, in an amazing individual performance of 29 points and eight rebounds, carried his team to a big win, and didn't allow anybody to take this win from his team.

 

"It was a very physical game, but we played great defense," he said after the buzzer.

 

"Our goal coming to this EuroBakset was to reach the Olympics. We've done that and now we're aiming at the finals. If we play as we did tonight, nobody can count us out."

 

Ramunas Siskauskas was the only one who stepped up for Lithuania.

 

He scored 30 points, including five shots from long range, which cut into Russia's lead time after time, but couldn't secure the win alone.

 

Russia played 40 minutes of very aggressive defense and didn't allow any Lithuanian to get anywhere close to the rim without being hammered down.

 

The bad side was that with six minutes on the clock Russia had three big men in big foul trouble

[jack daniel 999 27]

15.09.2007

 

48/A France 69 - 86 Croatia

47/A Germany 69 - 65 Slovenia

49/A Spain 82 - 77 Greece

50/A Russia 86 - 74 Lithuania

[jack daniel 999 27]

SCOREBOARD

 

Finals

 

Spain

16.09.2007 21:30

Russia

 

Placings 3rd and 4th

 

Greece

16.09.2007 19:00

Lithuania

 

Placings 5th and 6th

 

Germany

16.09.2007 16:30

Croatia

 

Placings 7th and 8th

 

Slovenia

16.09.2007 14:00

France

[jack daniel 999 27]

Fighting For Fifth

16 September 2007

 

Having both secured a spot in the pre-Olympic qualifying tournament with wins on Saturday, Germany and Croatia will meet Sunday to decide between fifth and sixth place at EuroBasket 2007.

 

Both teams had struggled to win games prior to their wins on Saturday though Croatia had lost four straight by slim margins while for the Germans it was the second straight time they had bounced back from a hefty defeat, having fallen to hosts Spain by 28 the night before.

 

 

[jack daniel 999 27]

Reaching For The Rings

By David Hein

16 September 2007

In most international competitions, the game for seventh place means very little other than the two quarter-finalists wanting to end their tournament on a high note after two straight losses.

 

But the game for seventh at the 2007 EuroBasket promises to be an extremely contested affair as Slovenia take on France with a spot in the pre-Olympic tournament up for grabs.

 

Last Time Out: France lost to Croatia 86-69 in the 5th-8th classification round while Slovenia fell to Germany 69-65. Slovenia beat France 67-66 earlier in the tournament when Tony Parker missed a foul shot with 0.1 seconds left which would have sent the game to over-time.

 

Key Match-Up: Parker vs Jaka Lakovic - both point guards have struggled at crunch time in this tournament - though Lakovic hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer against Italy. But their respective teams will be looking towards them for leadership with the Olympics still a possibility for the winners. The winner of this showdown could decide the game.

 

X-Factor: Matjaz Smodis. The Slovenian power forward could have a monster game if the French haven't figured out their problems in the post. Croatian big men Marko Banic, Stanko Barac and Nikola Prkacin combined for 38 points on 18-of-23 (78%) shooting in their win against France. Look for France to get a healthy does of post moves from Smodis and Radoslav Nesterovic.

 

Stats: In the last two games, Slovenia have blown leads of 12 in the final 2:30 to Greece and nine in the final five minutes against Germany.

 

Sounding Off: Slovenia play-maker Lakovic: "I'm sure that our team will stay together until and try to save our possibility to make the Olympics. It will be difficult especially because our team is young. We cannot think about Greece or Germany - even though it's difficult to do that sometimes. We must win."

[jack daniel 999 27]

Lithuania And Greece Battle For Bronze

By David Hein

16 September 2007

Not only is the bronze medal up for grabs in the 2007 EuroBasket third place game between 2003 champions Lithuania and 2005 title-holders Greece but the winners also will clinch a spot in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

 

So, there is plenty of motivation for both teams to bounce back from tough losses in the semi-finals.

 

Last Time Out: Lithuania lost in the semis to Russia 86-74 while Greece fell to Spain 82-77.

 

Key Match-Up: Dimitrios Diamantidis vs Sarunas Jasikevicius. Russia did a great job frustrating Lithuania's main man Jasikevicius, who had just five points and three assists with five turnovers in the semi-final loss. Expect Diamantidis to shadow Jasikevicius's every move.

 

X-Factor: Lithuania big men Ksistof and Darjus Lavrinovic. The twin brothers have combined for just seven points in their last two games but Lithuania need to have at least one in-form Lavrinovic brother to break down the Greece defense.

 

Stats: Greece held Slovenia to 27% (6-of-22) from three-point range in the quarter-finals but Spain lit up the still-reigning champions for 50% (11-of-22) on Saturday.

 

Sounding Off: Greece forward Kostas Tsartsaris: "We still have one more game and we want to win a medal."

[jack daniel 999 27]

Anyone Got A Slingshot?

By Cindy Garcia-Bennett

16 September 2007

 

When Russia take on Spain in Sunday's EuroBasket final, European basketball will witness a true David (Blatt) and Goliath showdown.

 

Russia's aim before this year's EuroBasket was to qualify for the Olympics.

 

For tournament hosts Spain however, only a gold medal was acceptable after claiming

silver on five previous trips in this event.

 

Spain, by virtue of their world title triumph over Greece last year in Japan, booked a place at next year's Beijing Games.

 

Because of past near-misses in EuroBaskets and with this year's tournament being staged in Madrid, the European Championship has remained hugely important for the team, the federation and fans.

 

Russia will have no pressure on them when they run to the court for the final time on Sunday at the Palacio de Deportes.

 

"We are in the Olympic Games and that was our goal," said Andrei Kirilenko.

 

"They are the hosts, we can play great and we need to pick it up ourselves and play the same kind of defense as tonight, if we do, we will be fine."

 

Last time out: Spain defeated Greece 82-77 and Russia beat Lithuania, 86-74.

 

Key Match-up: Andrei Kirilenko v Pau Gasol. Lithuania got steamrolled by Andrei Kirilenko on Saturday and the dynamic Russian forward will need to have similar success against Spain and particularly, Gasol for David Blatt's team to capture gold. Gasol has played his best at the EuroBasket in the big games and even with Kirilenko lurking around the basket on defense, expect Spain's big man to be his number one option on offense.

 

Key Stats: Spain committed 16 turnovers against a terrific Greek defense on Saturday but they were on fire from three-point range, making 11 of 22 (50%) from long range.

Spain were superior shooting the ball in their 81-69 triumph over Russia earlier in the tournament while they also outrebounded them. 33-30.

 

X-Factor: Petr Samoylenko and Nikolai Padius had solid games against Lithuania and they will also have to be at their best against the Spanish backcourt for Russia to have a chance.

 

Speaking out: "I just think of the Old Testament and Israel where I come from, David and Goliath that's the story. Will see how it goes, if we find a sling shot and manage to knock them down then we will be the winners. It's going to be a tough game." Russia coach David Blatt.

[jack daniel 999 27]

France 74 - Slovania 88

 

Slovenia Grab Last Olympic Qualifying Spot

By David Hein

16 September 2007

 

Slovenia drained seven three-pointers during a 24-6 run to start the fourth quarter in knocking off France 88-74 to clinch seventh place at the 2007 EuroBasket as well as a berth in next summer's pre-Olympic tournament.

 

Jaka Lakovic hit three long bombs in the big stretch on his way to 26 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

 

Uros Slokar struck twice from long distance and converted a three-pointer in the spurt as part of his 13-point showing and Radoslav Nesterovic added 19 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.