BC “Prometey” – BC “Cedevita-Olimpija” (Slovenia) – 105:100 (24:30, 36:25, 18:22, 27:23). December 27. BKT EuroCup. Round 13. Riga (Latvia). Arena Riga.
BC “Prometey”: Agada* (10 + 9 rebounds + 8 assists), Bobrov* (0), Gray* (10), Tkachenko* (0), Odiase* (17 + 8 rebounds), March (15), Balvin (5), Sanon (15), Clavell (17 + 6 assists), Lypovyy (16), Sydorov, captain (0).
BC “Cedevita-Olimpija”: Cobbs* (23 + 4 assists), Blazic* (26 + 8 rebounds + 5 assists), Radovic* (5), Matkovic* (17 + 7 rebounds), Glas* (14), Radicevic (0), Jones (15 + 8 rebounds).
In the Round 13 of the BKT EuroCup, at Arena Riga, “Prometey” hosted the Slovenian club “Cedevita-Olimpija”. The opponent has arrived in the capital of Latvia with a discouraging 0-12 balance. However, the Slovenians, based on their performance quality in the previous matches, cannot be called the frank underdog of Group A.
Despite its short bench, “Cedevita-Olimpija” demonstrated its considerable potential back in the first half of the game. Already in 5th minute, the visitors were in lead by 6 points. The “titans”, as almost usually, set up dominating on the backboards, however, the rival managed to offer fast basketball not wasting much time to draw the ball. The first quarter ended with a score of 30:24 in visitors’ favour. Our team shot from the perimeter with a high percentage (4 succeffful attempts out of 10), however had 7 turnovers against 3 ones of “Cedevita-Olimpija”, which also served visitors to win this quarter.
The “titans” took the lead (42:41) just in the middle of the second ten-minute segment when Issuf Sanon ended a transitional offensive in a spectacular way. Although, the rival was not going to lay down its arms. The teams seemed to go for the long break with hosting team’s handicap by one possession. But Gian Clavell managed to increase it with his incredible buzzer – 60:55!
At this point, it was possible to assume that a short bench would affect visitors’ performance; however, this factor was not so considerable for quite a long time. In the mid of the quarter N3, after Glas’ three-point shot, “Cedevita-Olimpija” managed to take the lead back (70:67). But still, “Prometey” went for the last break in a status of the leader with a nominal advantage of 78:77.
Ronen Ginzburg’s squad had considerable problems with the opponent in the final quarter as well. At its beginning, the visitors were ahead by 4 points but, in 35th minute, the scoreboard showed the tie figures – 88:88. And only in clutch, “Prometey” broke the rival’s will to win. “2+1” by Caleb Agada and a spectacular Clavell-March duo turned out to be the decisive moments to secure success for the hosts of the floor. 105:100 – the seventh win of the “titans” in the tournament!
Now, all 20 EuroCup teams go for the two-week break. For “Prometey”, the tournament will resume on January 10 with a road match against the undeniable leader of Group A, BC “Paris Basketball”.
