|
Youth international basketball - U18 Partnership Tournament second day newsThe teams will play five games in this youth international basketball tournament within five days with a format similar to the FIBA Europe U18 European Championship Women, with morning training sessions and games in the afternoon. Slovenia downed Germany in a youth international basketball classicIn the first match of the second day of the Partnership Tournament Germany took on Slovenia.Germany began the match with a different starting five than in their first match. Straight from the tip-off they moved the ball around with purpose.
However Slovenia put the first points on the board through Anja Klavzar but Germany responded quickly with Sarah-Marie Frankenberger and a trey from Pia Mankertz. Slovenia levelled the score as 10 hit a baseline-jumper (5-5). With the pleasantries over both sides played nice flowing basketball. Germany’s solid defence and fast transition enabled them to take advantage and open an early lead (20-11). Slovenia, struggling from the perimeter, went inside and surprised their opponents as they scored 6 straight points. All the same Germany maintained their composure to lead (25-17) at the end of the first quarter. During the second period both coaches turned their bench as they experimented with different plays. Germany maintained their advantage with clutch perimeter shooting (32-23). Lea Jagodic and Tjasa Gortnar were controlling the defensive boards for Slovenia. But they could not do anything to stop Pia Mankertz as she hit a back-to-back three-pointer from the baseline. Germany stretched their advantage (41-30) by the interval.
Slovenia had no intentions of abdicating and by the end of the third period Germany’s lead had been reduced (53-48). Baric who had been on three fouls since the beginning picked up a fourth personal foul 14 seconds before the end of period. At the start of the final period Baric was on fire and scored 2 baskets to bring the team level (53-53) with eight minutes to play. The German head coach called for a time-out to try break up the Slovenian rhythm. Baric then hit a reverse lay-up for Slovenia to go in front. Germany were back level with Emina Karic scoring on the next play. Svenja Brunckhorst then stepped up for Germany and used her pace to cause Slovenia problems. However it was Karic who put Germany back in front (57-55). Slovenia were back in front as Baric finished the quarter the way she started with the final points of the game for the Slovenian side to run out winners (65-57). Baric led the scoring with 21 points and was joined in double digits by Ines Kerin with 11. For Germany Mankertz had 11 points and Karic 10 points. Energy sapping defence by England destabilised the organised Dutch
A lot of changes during the second period by both coaches did not allow the game to flow. However England went into the interval leading (29-24). In the first half Nicki Avery for England was leading the scoring with 11 points while Marianne Van der Hoek (left) scored 10 points for The Netherlands. The third period was about defence, as England did not allow the Dutch too many openings to hit three-pointers. England defended their advantage (35-30) and frustrated their opponents to hit a flourish of points in the last 50 seconds to go into the final period leading (41-33).
The Dutch side that was very organised in their first game was unable to find a rhythm on the second day. Nicki Avery (left) was the only England player in double digits with 12 points; in another day of balanced scoring of the English team. For the Dutch team the top scorer was with 11 points Fieke Lighthart. Luxembourg won as the ball refused to drop for IrelandIn the U16 European championships in 2006 Luxembourg and Ireland played against each other in a match that that went to the wire with Luxembourg coming from behind in the last quarter to stun Ireland (67-66). Many of the players on display that day were on the court in this match.
The first period was a ding-dong affair as both sides went on the offensive. The lead changed several times with Ireland going ahead at the end of the first period (15-14). Ireland appeared to have the game under control after back-to-back baskets from Sinead O’Reily to give Ireland the first significant lead of the match (27-21). However Jill Haentges and Jo Schreiner had other ideas and Luxembourg finished with a 7-0 to lead (29-27) at the interval. Within the first minute of the third period Ireland were level (29-29). Then both sides remained scoreless for seven minutes as the ball refused to drop.
Then it was turn of the other O’Reilly, Orla, to bring Ireland back on equal terms (39-39) with a drive to the basket with a left-hand floater to finish. Ireland were to lead briefly after Emma Marron split a pair of free-throws. Lynn Schreiner was on hand to restore the lead for the home side. She was at the centre of almost all of Luxembourg’s offensive actions. Ireland - despite their height advantage - were unable to hit any shots as Luxembourg stretched their advantage (51-40) with 35 minutes gone. The Schreiner twins from Luxembourg won the battle against the O’Reilley twins as Luxembourg held on to win (66-50). From Luxembourg Lynn Schreiner had 21 points including 10-of-13 from the free-throw line. Jo Schreiner had 14 points. They were joined in double figures with 14 points by Haentges. For Ireland Orla O’Reilley scored 18 while Sinead O'Reilley had 13 points. Youth international Basketball Partnership Tournament Luxembourg "Day 1 Youth international Basketball Partnership Tournament Luxembourg U18 women Preview Return from Youth international Basketball Partnership Tournament Luxembourg to "What's New" page Return to youth international basketball index Date created: 17 July 2008
|
Nika Baric’s return to action saw Slovenia hit Germany 10-0 to start the third period (40-41). Germany was then forced to change their tactic by playing in the paint and making use of Nathalie Ebertz’ presence to quickly restore their advantage (51-43).
England’s patience in their build-up allowed them to take an early lead (7-3). However The Netherlands took their time and found openings for Karin Kuyt who then hit a couple of treys as her side edged in front (15-12) by the end of the first period.
England continued to suffocate their opponents in defence and stretched their lead (49-35). The Dutch were not able to get anything going which allowed the England coach to turn her bench and still maintain the momentum to win (59-44).
The deadlock was finally broken as Lynn Schreiner left hit a pair of free-throws with 2:32 to play in the third quarter. This score then ignited the game as the baskets started to come in with Luxembourg holding on to lead (39-37) going into the final period.
