FIBA U16 European Championships day 2
Game 2 of the FIBA U16 European Championships has helped to put the competing nations in their places and helped the groups take shape. There was plenty of excitement through the round, and a few shocks along the way too.
Group A
Turkey overcame Finland 61-74 in Ogre to continue its unbeaten start to the tournament, moving to a 2-0 record in Group A while putting Finland on 0-2. The Turks are looking strong in defense and another tight display saw them take the first quarter 11-18 and then pace to a 22-35 lead at halftime. In the second half the Turkish players won a tighter frame in the third (19-23) before cruising down the stretch despite losing the fourth quarter. Omer Faruk Yurtseven had a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win.
It was another impressive display from Serbia as they swept Lithuania aside with a 73-98 win to move to the top of the group with a 2-0 record. The Lithuanians are still hunting a first win after this confidence sapping loss. Indeed, Lithuania would have been happy enough with a 25 point haul in the first stanza, but Serbia erupted to score 36 and hold a solid lead after 10 minutes. That was extended in a lower scoring second quarter, but the Serbs led 41-54 at the long break. The double digit lead was extended through the second half as Novak Music paced the winners to the win with 22 points.
Group B
Bosnia and Herzegovina scraped past a plucky Greek team to win their encounter 56-51, going 2-0 in Group B in the process. Bosnia looked the more organized in the first frame, taking a 20-13 lead at the first break. The composure was snapped by a resurgent Greece in Q2 as the Greek team scored 18 points and held their opponents to just 5 (25-31 at halftime). Bosnia used the third quarter to pour in 18 and hold Greece to 8 points, while the fourth quarter saw a tense encounter edged by the yellow and blue flag.
2014 FIBA U16 European Championships hosts Latvia took a second consecutive victory by beating Croatia 84-62 in Ogre. It was a comfortable victory for the home team, with Latvia winning the first three quarters, 24-14, 25-14, and 17-14. Despite Croatia snatching the fourth stanza 18-20, the Latvians had eased to victory on the back of a top scoring 16 points from Rodions Kurucs.
Group C
It has been a sorry tournament for Denmark after the team endured its second thrashing, this time 48-87 at the hands of Germany. The victory sent Germany to 2-0 in Group C while Denmark drop to 0-2. The Germans took a 12-22 lead in the first quarter and extended to 25-42, looking commanding without leaving third gear. In the second half Germany found those extra cogs, especially in defense as the team restricted Denmark to just 23 points through the 20 minutes while scoring 45 at the other end.
Just like Germany, France also impressed in Game 2 of the FIBA U16 European Championships with a classy 41-79 win over Poland. The French looked better from the opening tip off and held a 12-23 lead after ten minutes, while a low scoring second frame saw them extend to 20-35 at the big rest. A massive 8-28 run in the third quarter finished off the Polish team and France eased down the straight to victory. Bathiste Tchouaffe led Les Bleus with 15 points, while Killan Tillie took 11 points and 9 rebounds in victory.
Group D
Italy followed its good victory over Russia in Game 1 by crushing the Ukraine 27-85 in Game 2, a startling result. The Italian demolished the Ukraine team with outstanding offensive organization and an utterly dominating defense. The winners took each quarter, easing through the game with a 8-21, 3-23, 11-23, 5-18 box score. Tommaso Oxilia tossed in 13 points and took 7 off the boards to set the tone for a slick looking Italian team.
Russia responded to defeat in Game 1 by downing defending champions Spain 76-67 in Game 2. The win was enough to put the Russians level with the Spanish in Group D, with both nations sitting on 1-1 behind the Italians on 2-0. Russia took the lead by playing the best ball in the first period, leading 22-14 after 10 minutes, while a 16-14 second quarter extended the lead to 38-28. That double digit lead proved pivotal as Russian won the third 23-17 but had to endure a mini Spanish comeback in the fourth stanza.