EuroBasket 2017: welcome Group C and Group D
After some hot action at EuroBasket 2017 during day 1 on Thursday, Friday saw Group C and Group D tip off. This was the day when reigning champs Spain entered the competition for the first time and promptly laid down their market in Group C. Elsewhere, Belgium and the United Kingdom played out a classic high scoring encounter.
Check out the rest of the games at EuroBasket 2017 today below:
Group C
Croatia got its tournament off to a fantastic start with a 58-67 victory over a Hungary team that kept it interesting throughout. It took two frames for the Croats to break down Hungary after a 20-20 first quarter. At the halftime point, Croatia had carved a 36-39 advantage. The team kept extending in the second half, but the Hungarians always stayed in the game before falling away with just 5 points in the fourth act. Bojan Bogdanovic scored 23 points and pulled 7 rebounds in the win.
Reigning EuroBasket champions Spain showed its credentials in game 1 with a dominating 99-60 win over Montenegro. Spain was hot in the first half, scoring 26 points in the first quarter and 25 points in the second. Montenegro responded with 29 points and was 21 points down at the long break. The one way traffic continued in the third act as Spain’s class shone through on a cruise to victory. Guillermo Hernangomez topped a well-rounded Spain attack with 18 points.
Czech Republic overcame Romania in stylish fashion, thanks to a 68-83 victory. The Czech contingent was edged out by a Romania team that started well with a 22-21 first quarter. The tide changed in Q2 and at halftime the Czech’s led 38-40. From there the team pulled away, using 9-22 third quarter to make it a cruise through the last frame. Vojtech Hruban topped the win with 25 points, while Tomas Satoransky added a double-double of 20 points and 13 boards, as well as 6 assists.
Group D
Belgium and the United Kingdom played out a game that will live long in the memory. The UK is not a EuroBasket fixture and Belgium is not among the favourites. However, both teams showed why EuroBasket 2017 will capture the eyes of global basketball. Belgium eventually won a 103-90 game that was full of strong offence and shaky defence … a festival of basketball. Maxime De-Zeeuw topped five Belgian double-digit scorers with 21 points.
Serbia edged Latvia with a 92-82 win that was built on a strong second half. Latvia led 21-24 after ten minutes, but Serbia brought the game to 45-47 through the long break. Serbia had used the second quarter to wrestle the momentum, and used it to carry a 20-13 run in the third act. Through thirty minutes, the Serbian team led 65-60 and kept extending through the fourth quarter to win the game. Bogdan Bogdanovic showed why he is one to watch this week with 30 points to propel Serbia.