EuroBasket Women 2011
Russia in Gold

Since 2001 Russia have been a permanent feature in EuroBasket Women finals with Gold coming in 2003 and 2007.

On the other hand Turkey, participating in their fourth EuroBasket Women competition, are appearing in their first final.

Russia's height and experience ended Turkey's dream of Gold. With Maria Stepanova's 12 rebounds and 18 points and Elena Danilochkina's 12 points Turkey had no answer and lost (42-59).

Elena Danilochkina (right) was elected MVP for the tournament and was joined in the all tournament team by her team-mate Maria Stepanova as well as Eva Vitecková (Czech Republic) Nevriye Yilmaz (Turkey) and Sandra Mandir (Croatia).

After Great Britain and the USA Russia becomes the third team to qualify for the basketball tournament at the 2012 Olympic games to be held in London.

You can read the full match report of the gold medal match by selecting the link below.

Russia 59-42 Turkey
Picture gallery

2011 EuroBasket Women final standings:

1. Russia
2. Turkey
3. France
4. Czech Republic
5. Croatia
6. Montenegro
7. Lithuania
8. Latvia
9. Belarus, Great Britain, Poland, Spain
13. Germany, Greece, Israel, Slovak Republic

Russia's height caused Turkey the biggest problem

Russia led from start to finish and out-rebounded their opponents by more than 40 times. Turkey tried their best but were not able to attack the boards and so never had the chance to challenge Russia.

EuroBasket game report: Russia celebrate

A quick start from Turkey got Nevriye Yilmaz in the paint to score the first points of the game. But Russia were also quick into their game with Maria Stepanova from the free-throw line and a coast to coast by Ilona Korstin.

Then Elena Danilochkina had all the room in the world to hit a three-pointer (7-2) with a little over two minutes played.

The atmosphere in the hall went up a notch as the Lodz supporters entered the arena supporting Russia.

Birsel Vardarli came up with some magic displaying good ball handling skills to score for Turkey. Yet that was the last we saw of Turkey for the rest the quarter.

The taller Russians dominated the offensive boards and scored 9 unanswered points to open up a double digit lead (16-5) after nine minutes.

Seda Erdogan ended the barren spell with a pair of free throws. However almost immediately Marina Kuzina hit a long three-pointer.

The last seconds of the quarter were messy with the Russians (19-8) ahead.

Turkey changed tactics during the second quarter and decided to take Russia on with fast breaks and three-point shooting with their point guard Vardarli running the show.

Treys by Bahar Caglar and Saziye Ivegin resulted in a Russia time-out with 4:33 to play in the first half despite leading (28-20).

Hard defending and turnovers were the order of the day. Neiter side was to add any point to their tally for over two minutes.

Nevin Kristen Nevlin was fouled and split a pair for Turkey. Then Yasemin Horasan's energy and exuberance won her a ball to pass to Ivegin who managed to lay up.

However Russia finished the quarter stronger with a three-ball by Olga Arteshina and 2 more points in the paint by Stepanova to go into the locker room leading (33-23).

Russia stepped on the turbo after the break scoring the first 7 point of the quarter. Russia's dominance of the boards kind of slowed the whole game down as the Turkish players looked for solutions to get to the basket.

Isil Alben picked up a defensive rebound and went from coast to coast to liven things up at the end of the third quarter. But Russia went into the final quarter with a comfortable advantage (46-34).

The Turkish fans cheered all through the final quarter but Russian team was just too strong for their side.

Turkey did not score for the first five minutes while Russia extended their lead (55-34).

However when Yilmaz finally scored, the Turkish crowd jubilated as if Turkey had just won.

When Alban hit a trey, Boris Sokolovsky from Russia decided for a time-out. With four minutes to play his side was leading (55-41).

Russia were becoming a little untidy but with 2:30 to play they led (57-41).

In the end Russia won (59-42) and are now not only European champions but have also qualified directly for the Olympic Games 2012.

Russia: Olga Arteshina 5 (7 rebounds), Evgenia Belyakova DNP, Tatiana Popova 2, Marina Kuzina 6, Elena Danilochkina 12, Natalya Myasoedova DNP, Ilona Korstin 3 (7 rebounds), Maria Stepanova 18 (12 rebounds), Irina Osipova 6 (9 rebounds and 4 assists), Liudmila Sapova 4, Svetlana Abrosimova 5, Tatiana Vidmer 3

Head Coach: Boris Sokolovsky

Turkey: Tugba Palazoglu 0, Seda Erdogan 2, Birsel Vardarli 10 (4 assists), Nilay Kartaltepe DNP, Nevin Kristen Nevlin 5, Gülsah Akkaya 1, Isil Alben 8, Nevriye Yilmaz 6, Naile Ivegin DNP, Yasemin Horasan 0, Saziye Ivegin 7, Bahar Caglar 3

Head Coach: Ceyhun Yildizoglu

Assistant Coaches: Ömer Petorak, Erman Okerman

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womensbasketball-in-france.com

Date created: 3 July 2011

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