FIBA Men U20: Quarterfinals will be set Wed.
Game 2 of Round 2 of the FIBA Men U20 European Championships did little to clear up the playoff picture as the results did more to even things up than anything. The final day’s contests will determine multiple slots as only a small number or set at this point.
In Group E Croatia (1-3) picked up their first win, defeating Germany 66:61, dropping Germany to 1-3 also, but keeping them both in contention for a spot in the quarters. Germany takes on Montenegro (1-3) on Wednesday and Croatia will play Lithuania (2-2), meaning that the winners will move on as the top two clubs, Greece and Turkey, are in and play each other. Greece stayed unbeaten with a huge win over Montenegro, 70:47, and Turkey locked up a spot in the quarters with a 52:48 win over Lithuania.
Group F is a nightmare as only one team, Latvia (4-0), has a winning record, everyone else is 2-2 or 1-3. Russia beat Slovenia 88:69, to put Russia in a good place for a playoff spot as they square off against Italy (2-2). Latvia stayed unbeaten with an 88:81 win over Italy, and Spain downed France 70:52. In the final match-ups, Italy and Russia will square off, with both teams at 2-2, the winner will move on and the loser will have to see how they fare against the rest. Spain (2-2) will meet Slovenia (1-3), with both clubs having a shot to move on with Spain having an edge in the probability that they’ll still be standing after Wednesday’s game. The final contest pits France against the strong Latvians, who are looking to run the table in both Round 1 and Round 2. A win will move France on, most likely, a loss will probably send them to the consolation round.
Group E
Croatia – Germany, 66:61
The Croatian contingent used a big 18:9 first quarter and held on to stay alive in Group E with a 66:61 win over Germany, who falls to 1-3. Croatia also holds a 1-3 record and will finish the second round against Lithuania on Wednesday while Germany will play Montenegro. Wins for either team should move them on to the next round, losses will most likely take them out of the playoffs.
Croatia had a six point lead opening the fourth frame and hit six straight to extend to 12. Germany snapped the three minute drought in the fourth with a triple, then a jumper to pull back to within seven. After a Croatia triple that pushed the lead back to 10, Germany went on an 11:0 run to take a one-point lead at 59:58 with just over two minutes to play. A German jumper tied the score at 61 shortly after (48 seconds left) and from there is was all Croatia as they hit five of six free throw to close out scoring at 66:61.
Matej Buovac was game-high for Croatia with 16, Henrik Sirko added 13, Domagoj Samac had an 11P/13R double-double. David Bremly scored 13 for Germany.
Greece – Montenegro, 70:47
Greece left no doubt that they are one of the best teams in the FIBA Men U20 European Championships with a 70:47 win over Montenegro. The Greek’s haven’t lost a game in the tournament and are now 4-0, while Montenegro drops to 1-3. They do still have a shot at the playoffs, but will have to win their final game against Germany.
The big difference in this contest was the middle quarters, with Greece outscoring Montenegro 43:14 in quarters 2 and 3.
Ioannis Papapetrou was game-high for Greece with 17, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a 12P/12R double-double, and Dimitris Agravanis added 11 points. Vukota Pavic lead Montenegro with 12 in the loss.
Turkey – Lithuania, 52:48
Turkey earned a spot in the quarterfinals with a big win over Lithuania, 52:48. Lithuania still has a shot, but they need a win over Croatia to get there.
The two clubs battled to a 27:22 score at half-time, with Turkey on top. In the third quarter the lids came down on the baskets, as the teams combined to score 12 points in the third 10, 8:4, Turkey. Lithuania scored 10 points in the final 54 seconds to pull to within four with a lay-up at the buzzer. Turkey shot 3 of 8 from the line in the final minute of the game.
Turkey was led by Samet Geyik’s 21 points, Eribil Eroglu added 10 points while spreading around 8 assists.
Laimonas Chatkevicius grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds for Lithuania.
Group F
Russia – Slovenia, 88:69
Russia kept their competition options open with a strong 88:69 win over Slovenia, who drops to 1-3. The Russians pulled away rom the Slovenians by outscoring 25:18 them, and 23:14 in the second and third quarters.
Denis Zakharov was game-high for Russia with 20, Vladislav Trushkin added 15, and Marksim Sakharov dropped 14. Miha Lapornik and Ziga Dimec scored 14 each.
Latvia – Italy, 88:81
Italy put on a hard charge at the end of the game, dropping 27, but Latvia had too big a lead to overcome by that time, giving Latvia their sixth straight win.
Italy can still move on if they defeat Russia on Wednesday in the last game in the group.
Ojea Aillina came up big with a 25P/10R double-double for Latvia. Ingus Jakovics added 17 points, and Janis Berzins contributed 16. Awudu Abass scored 21 for Italy, and Matteo Imbro added 18.
Spain – France, 70:52
Spain improved to 2-2 in Group F with an impressive 18-point win over France, 70:52. Spain takes on Slovenia on Wednesday and a win will send Spain on to quarters. The loss drops France to 1-3, with an outside shot at moving on.
The clubs battled to a 29:25 score at the half, with Spain tightening the screws in the third quarter, outscoring France 23:16.
Guillem Vives was game-high with 16 points, Daniel Diez added 15. Alexandre Chassang, Hugo Invernizzi, and Mouhammadou Jaiteh scored 11 apiece for France.
Menu U20 European Championships – Round 2
Group E Matches[matches league_id=31 group=E template=summary dateformat=”M. j, Y”]
Standings – Group E[standings league_id=31 group=E show_website=false template=nolink]
Group F Matches[matches league_id=31 group=F template=summary dateformat=”M. j, Y”]
Standings – Group F[standings league_id=31 group=F show_website=false template=nolink]