News

Tour in Vilnius 2014-01-18

 Ukraine - Poland

One of the first games of Vilnius round was played Saturday morning between Poland and Ukraine amateur teams. This game was the first one in this regular season between these two teams, so it‘s no surprise that both teams wanted to play as good as possible. This game had meant more to Poland, because they still had no wins this season. However, to win against the Ukraine, having just 8 players in the roster against a full Ukrainian team, was a really big challenge.

The Ukraine team started the first quarter better than Poland and from the very first minutes got the lead 15:5. The most important players in this run were R.Dmitrenko and A.Borisenko. They scored the first eleven points of the game. However, Poland players answered with great defense and later on with the help of B.Dzierzynski and M. Krakowiak the score was equal. The score 12:15, Ukraine has the lead.

In the second quarter of the game the Ukraine team increased their tempo and started dominating the game. Most of the Ukraine‘s possessions were made in the paint, sometimes even after couple of tries. Ukraine big men did everything they could and quite easily scored the points in the paint. Most of the points were scored by V.Savcenko and A.Razev. A.Razev haven‘t missed any shots and was most valuable player of the game in the first half of the game. After first half, Ukraine dominates the game and the score is - 30:44.

The third quarter started with aggressive defense from both of the teams. But one thing didn’t change at all – Ukraine was still dominating the game. Especially in the paint, where most of the points were scored. Polish team didn‘t have strong physical player that could fight in the paint, what hurts them in offence and defense. In the third quarter they scored just 10 points. In the meantime, Ukraine, despite having a solid advantage is still playing hard. After the three quarters the score – 40:62.

The fourth quarter was just a formality for both teams. Teams didn‘t show much effort playing in the defense and played more for fun and scoring as many points as they can. Playing this kind of style, Polish team started to play much better than in the previous quarters. However, the Ukraine team played even better, dominating the game in all of the aspects. At one time of the fourth quarter the Ukraine‘s lead got up to 31 points (87:56), but for the last two minutes of the game Poland team had a 8:2 run which helped to decreased the huge deficit. After quite an easy game, the Ukraine team beat the Poland. The final result – 89:64.

Belarus - Russia

Russian team failed to win in the second IABL tournament which took place in Vilnius. With the result of 69:81 this team suffers defeat to a team from Belarus.

The game started with long-distance shots from D. Nechiporenko and A. Abrikosov and in just 1.5 minutes Russia was leading with score 6:0. A. Garus responded with a three- pointer and R. Veremeichik scored a free throw, however, tipping the score in their favor was mission impossible for team from Belarus coached by a Lithuanian M. Banevicius (6:13). 10 minutes in the game – 18:25.

During the second quarter Russians tried to stop their opponents by fouling which only opened a window for the Belarus team to score easy points and lower the difference. 4 minutes in the second quarter and M.Radcuko long-distance shot ties the score 30:30,and a three pointer is scored by R. Veremeichik. In the nick of time the team from Belarus is 10 points in the lead with the result of 41:31. One minute breaks and scarce substitutions were no help for the Russian team: the fatigue from previous games and a very sparse bench took its toll. Before the big break – 45:33.

The situation did not change during the third and fourth quarters. Belarus was gaining an advantage and left very little intrigue for the viewers and fans. O. Vorobjov decreased the deficit and in the end of the 3d quarter the result was 66:50.

During the deciding quarter A. Garus played well which resulted in further lead of Belarus team (71:53). Towards the end of the game both teams fouled one another, however, it did not save the Russian team from losing the game. With the result of 81:69 Belarus proved its superiority to Russian team.

Interesting facts:
Biggest lead: Belarus: 19, Russia: 9.
Largest run: 14:0 (37:30), 7:0 (16:25).
Leading the team has changed 1 time; the result was equal 1 time.

Russia - Latvia

Teams from Russia and Latvia confronted each other in the first game of IABL tournament. After a tense fight Latvian team defeated their opponents with the result of 99:86.

The game took off with two-pointer from A. Abrikosov who is in a great shape as was demonstrated in Vilnius, however, in the second attack D. Nechiporenko failed in his defense and tournament’s MVP M. Motivans tied the score by shooting two-pointer from a free-throws line. During the 3d minute of the quarter R.Brencs shot a killer long-distance shot and Latvia took the lead – 8:4. Yet, Russians did not seem to give up and A. Abrikosov scored 6 points in a row and tied the score 15:15. The quarter ended with O. Vorobjob shooting a long-distance shot which led Russia ahead of Latvia 24:21.

Russia did not last in leader’s position. Latvians took the lead with the help of ex-professional player M. Motivans , who tooks his team forward by scoring free-throws (35:30) and succeeded in keeping this position till the mid-quarter. A.Abrikosov demonstrated his excellent skills by scoring few points in a row therefore decreases the deficit and tying the score 36:36. However, it did not last, since M .Motivans attacked with a long-distance shot. Latvians started to get in the groove and slowly but surely increased the deficit. Soon enough the deficit became twp-figured 52:42. Two quarters after – 57:44.

After the big break the court witnessed a persistent and hard-set fight. There were not a lot of Russians that came to the capital; however, they proved they were not ready to rest their guns: A. Timakov did not miss free throws, D. Nechiporenko scored a two-pointer, O.Vorobjov killed a three-pointer and the deficit was only by 4 points. 59:55. 30 minutes in the game – 74:69 with Latvians in the lead.

A.Guslecov scored a two-pointer in the final quarter and decreased the deficit to 2 points: 76:74, but R. Brencs scored a much needed three- pointer and shortly A.Svirido scored two long-distance shots (88:82). Latvian team took the lead, Russia’s team was getting weaker, and shots were thrown sideways. In the time left Russia failed to recover therefore recognizing the Latvian team as the winning one.

Interesting facts:
Biggest lead: Latvia 15, Russia 3.
Largest run: Latvia 10:0 (57:42), Russia 7:0 (59:55).
Leading the team has changed 3 times; the result was equal 6 times.

Latvia - Ukraine

Saturday afternoon for the second game of the round met Latvian and Ukrainian amateur teams. Both teams won their first game, so, despite being tired, wanted to finish the tour of Vilnius with the victory and take two wins out of two. Latvian team first came to the arena and were seriously preparing and supporting one another for the next game. Such a preparation is quite understandable, because only eight Latvians will have to fight against a full Ukrainian team.

The Ukraine team started the first quarter powerfully within the first five minutes of game taking the lead 4:10. From the very first minutes of the game there was an emotional fight. Just five minutes has elapsed since the mutual technical. After this emotional discharge the Latvian team has recovered with the force in the game thanks to 17:3 run. Ukraine had a lack of players who could score - in the last seven minutes of the quarter - only Ryjhljuk has scored. After the first quarter the Latvian National team has a solid lead 21:13.

The first half of the second quarter was equal and none of the teams had scored more than another. However, all Ukraine's problems began in the second half of quarter. Latvian team scores four three pointers in a row, two of them by A. Kramins. Latvians once again had incredibly run against last year's champions, and increase their advantage up to double digits. In the meantime, the Ukrainian team seems to be having trouble everywhere – bad defense, low percentage of long range and turnovers. After the first half - Latvian team has the lead and the score is 39:23.

The third quarter did not change anything – Latvians continued to increase their advantage and totally dominated the game by scoring easy points in the paint or beyond the arc.
Although A.Ryjhljuk and T.Kmetjuk tried to lead the Ukraine team by scoring majority of the points, but the Latvian‘s lead was steadily increasing. After seven points in a row by A. Kramins (Latvia) the deficit got to biggest of the game – 26 points. It seemed things can't get any worse to Ukraine. J.Kolobov gets a technical foul, which ruins the last chances to decrease the deficit. After third quarter – 40:62, Latvia has the lead.

Despite the fact that Latvians keep playing good and maintain the big lead, Ukraine team was not waving white flags and tried to fix their game. However, the emotional state of Ukrainian team caused another technical foul. In the meantime, tired Latvians continue to gradually increase their advantage. To properly rest the team, coach is taking all of time-outs, but it seems that it is enough to completely recover every player and complete the game at the highest level. In this quarter Latvians scored four three pointers and finally crushed the champions with the huge victory. Final result – 87:58 and Latvians can be very happy that they won both matches in Vilnius round, despite having only eight players in the team.

Lithuania (Vilnius) - Poland

The IABL tournament between Lithuania's and Poland's teams provided a great spectacle for basketball fans. However, there was an equal fight just for first 25 seconds of the game when the result was tied 0:0. Vilnius team easily won against the Polish team 100:78.

Although none of the teams managed to score any points for half of the minute, soon Lithuanians have shown who the tournament hosts are. G.Radzevičius and M.Tenikaitis scored a bunch of points (5: 0). A. Krušžynski, who was famous in this round because of his hairstyle, answered with two point shot but that did not help to stop the Lithuanian team. Charming Polish coach J.Kowalska tried to inspire the team, but the result after the first 10 minutes was 26:13.

Lithuanians started the match successfully, but relaxed just for few moments and Polish team used this situation. P. Samojlo scores a long range shot and Lithuanians have just a 7 points lead - 28:21. Guest from Poland stopped Lithuanian possesions by fouling them, but not all the free shots of Vilnius team went in. However, Lithuanians managed to concentrate and after D.Dūdėnas points, the score was 35:23.A.Beniušis scored two points in the end of the quarter and increased the lead to biggest of the game – 25, 50:25.After twenty minutes of the game the score is 53:25.

After the break, M.Krakowiak scored a three pointer, but the deficit was too big and Lithuanian team didn’t seem to be joking around (56: 30). Lithuanians played very effectively,were scoring easy points and finished the third quarter having 77 points. While, the Polish team – 46. (77:46).

In the last quarter of the game, with much applause from the fans, the head coach of Lithuanian team D. Novickas got into the game. Two three pointers by head coach and Lithuanian team increased their lead to 20 points. 86:66. The only thing that wasn’t completed in this game for Lithuanians – to score 100 points. With the chants from the fans G. Radzevičius scores three points. The last possession by Lithuanians head coach, who can play in every position, finished the game by doing nothing, just dribbling the ball and letting the time go till the end. With the result 100:78 Lithuanian team beats Poland.

Interesting facts:
Biggest lead: Lithuania 33, Poland 0.
Largest run: Lithuania 11:0 (44:23), Poland 8:0 (77:54).
Leading the team has changed 0 times; the result was equal 0 times.