Euro U20 Mahimni

[JUUOT]

we could use this thread to give update on the tournament and especially discuss the potential of our new addition to the spurs farm Ian Mahinmi.

Today France - Slovenia: 66 - 57

France made the difference on Defense. and sharing the ball on offense. 2 players at 16 points and 3 at 7.

So what you want to know is how well Mahinmi did as the leader of the french paint.

Ian was the leading rebounder of the game with 8 rebounds (5 offensive
he scored 7 points. (83%FT)
add to this 3 steals and 1 block and it is a really nice stat line. and he was apparently decisive on defense in his 24 minuts of play

Russia next will be an even better test




http://www.u20men2005.com/en/default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&pageID={E2D1324D-C75E-4FD0-BDBE-62FDA1E058C4}&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=4350&teamID=&gameID=4350-C-1-1&

[angel_luv]

Slovenia lost??????? No!!!!!!!!!!!!! So what happens now for Slovenia? Are they out of the tournament? Tony didn't play with France did he?

[Solid D]

U20 means under 20 years old.

[angel_luv]

so Beno and Rasho didn't play. LOL. Then I don't care nearly as much.

[Solid D]

To answer your first question about Slovenia being out, or not...they play Croatia tomorrow and Russia on Sunday.

Slovenia doesn't even have Lorbek.

[angel_luv]

I wish they would air the tournament on t.v. over here. Would make my summer more pleasant.

[SlovenianGuy]

Remember Dragic and Mocnik. They are both very talented.

[Solid D]

Question: Is France's defense that good or is Slovenia that bad this year?

[JUUOT]

Slovenia is not as good as previous years but:

the french coach announced his team would not do a good result at this tournament...
except if they can play their best defense.
the team is built for Defense and it shows

[SlovenianGuy]

Does anyone know Mirza Begic (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&teamID=2154&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=4350&playerID=44006) ?

I must admit that I have never heard of him. (or maybe i forgot) He is extremely tall (7-4) and in 27 minutes he had 5 blocks.

[JUUOT]

the french team is really small in absence of petro (summer league team of sonics)
ian mahinmi is basically our tallest player and he is playing Center.
this could explain the block success of this tall guy

[picnroll]

Will recordings of the games be available on FIBA Europe?

[timvp]

Slovenia was the defending U20 champion. Impressive win by France .. whose coach already surrendered before the tournament started :lol

[JUUOT]

it was maybee to create an electrochoc to his player. it apparently worked well

[SLOVENIAN 8]

The Slovenian team was a lot better last year

[zeleni]

any Lorbek would mean a great deal for Slovenia. U20 team was almost made from 6 players. Slovenia had invested before almost all of their prospects in winning. This time they invested 3 great players. Just like they do not care.

Basketball we'll be great in Belgrade. Anything else is not important. Even to Mocnik at this time, I am convinced!

[HIP HOOPERS]

Lorbek is 21, this is U20 EC... And the generation that won U20 last year is competing in Argentina this summer (Lorbek, Zagorac, Fon,...). But Lorbek isn't playing for them 'cos of the EC in Belgrade...

[Mr Dio]

so Beno and Rasho didn't play.

2 guys now Angel? I'm sorry but you've become quite the slut!








WELCOME to our world baby!!!!

[Slo spurs fan]

2 guys now Angel? I'm sorry but you've become quite the slut!








WELCOME to our world baby!!!!
:lmao

[angel_luv]

2 guys now Angel? I'm sorry but you've become quite the slut!
WELCOME to our world baby!!!!


No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Although more accurate than lesbian, slut is still way off! :lol
All my life, I've had long term crushes and never more than one at a time. :angel

Like I told Kori, Rasho has five more times to not give me the time of day and then maybe, he is history. Beno can try and win me over then, if he wants.

So to clarify Rasho is still my guy, even though Beno seems to like me better. Did I mention that I am on Beno's championship home video, at his request? Have fun with that Dio. :blah


And by the way, Slo--- thanks for the support. :rolleyes

[JUUOT]

France do not confirm against one of the favorite. best team of the tournament. Russia
Russia 76 - 60 France.
Mahinmi had a really bad shooting game with only 1 of 7 shot made. for a 7 point effort

On the positive he is again the best rebounder for the french team with 6 rebounds and he once again added 3 Steels.
his FT are not spurs materials in the tournament since in the combined 2 games he shot 10 on 12 good for 83%

Russia is the best interior team of the tournament. so Ian was not good but maintain hiself well enough.

http://www.u20men2005.com/en/default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&pageID={E2D1324D-C75E-4FD0-BDBE-62FDA1E058C4}&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=3794&teamID=&gameID=4350-C-3-2&

[Solid D]

Thanks for the update and comments, JUUOT.

Here is the FIBA link to the box scores. It looks like Ian only played 22 minutes in this one. A lot of guys got playing time.

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/events/competition/iframe_box_and_statistic.asp?RoundID=4350&GameName=3&GroupName=C&CompetitionCode=EMYM&Season=2005&act_link=8

[Horry For 3!]

Good stuff.

[JUUOT]

yes he played only 22 minuts.even if he is a starter. it was pretty much the same for the first game. Ian is improving fastly and is already one of the leader of the team althought he is 86 (U20 are players born 85 and 86)

he is struggling with his shot since the begining of the tournament 2/10. But he does really well on steals, rebounds, defense and going hard at the basket to create foul. anchor of defense. Ian is the future for France but he needs to find back his shoot.
usually Ian is not a creator on offense and score easy baskets from offensive rebounds and teammates penetration. The opportunity to be a leader is forcing him to develop his own offensive game. Next season with le havre will be the same. last season he was shooting 60% from the field.

but his replacement sylvain Marco earned Playing time cause he is shooting 85% from the field 6/7 even if he is less effective in other categories.

this is why he sees limited minutes. plus the team is not going for the medal so the caoch is preparing his team for next year. by sharing playing time

[timvp]

Thanks, JUUOT

Here's comments from someone who watched the game:

Ian was in the 5. He played 22 minutes. his stats : he scored 7 pts (bad average at shoots 1/7 at 14.3%....) again his points come from free throws(5/6). He got 6 rebounds and stole 3 balls. The weakness of the French team was assist.. only 3 assists for the whole team..






Here's a recap:

Russia Too Strong Against France

France started well but came undone in the second against hosts Russia and crashed to a 76-60 defeat in Saturday's ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men action.

In a battle of sides looking to climb to the top of Group C, Ian Mahinmi gave the visitors hope in opening stages.

Recently drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, the 19-year-old Mahinmi, a 2.05m power forward, gave Les Bleuets a 16-7 lead with a pair of free throws with 1:56 left in the opening quarter.

The French were unable to press home their advantage, though, and when Egor Vyaltsev buried a three-pointer midway through the second quarter, Russia led 23-21.

The athletic Yannick Bokolo, who led France with 12 points in the contest, tied the scores at 23-23 with a dunk.

Evgeny Kolesnikov answered shortly after with a tap-in to put Russia back in front for good at 25-23.

Evgeny Pashutin's Russians held a 35-28 advantage at half-time and scored the first three baskets of the third quarter to take a firm grip on the game.

Vitaly Fridzon had 16 points to pace the Russians, who outrebounded France 41-32 in the showdown.

Russia, having also beaten Croatia, will look to complete the group stage unbeaten when they take on Slovenia in their final game on Sunday.

France, winners over the Slovenians on the first day, take on Croatia in their last group game.

[Mr Dio]

Did I mention that I am on Beno's championship home video, at his request? Have fun with that Dio

Beno put the only person he has ever filed a restraining order on, in his video???

[angel_luv]

Geesh Dio, was that the best you got?
Besides, how would you know that Beno filed a restraining order on someone unless YOU were stalking him?

[Mr Dio]

Geesh Dio, was that the best you got?

The best? :lol
Nahhh, I do have to tone it done for the likes of you though.
For your information MS Angel, I was GIVEN a key to the house..I didn't break in. :lol

[angel_luv]

The best? :lol
Nahhh, I do have to tone it done for the likes of you though.

I knew you could do better but am grateful you didn't. =)

For your information MS Angel, I was GIVEN a key to the house..I didn't break in. :lol


I'm intrigued. Splain it to me. Hehe! Also make me a copy. = )

[Mr Dio]

I have a couple of undies for sale & they were taken from the drawer so they're clean..bidding starts @ $50 Angel.

[Karl Mundt]

http://www.fiba.com/pages/en/events/competition/box_stat.asp?RoundID=4350&GroupName=C&GameName=5&CompetitionCode=EMYM&Season=2005&fisC=false&lang=EN

Game 3: France defeats Croatia. Mahinmi, 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 5 TO and 4 fouls in 20 minutes. 3/4 from the field. The Croatian player Markota pulled down 20 rebounds the previous game.

[SlovenianGuy]

France won 76-57 and will advance to the quarter-finals.


France Secure Quarter-Final Berth


10 July 2005

France will advance to the quarter-finals of the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov.

Their 76-57 defeat over a lacklustre Croatia on Sunday gives them the second qualification spot in Group C, ahead of Slovenia and Croatia.




http://www.u20men2005.com/en/files/{E02840AC-99A4-44A3-A2CA-B5EB93FC0285}medium_v.jpg
Thomas Larrouquis



Croatia opened the game with the first basket, but that 2-0 scoreline would be their only lead of the game. France quickly reeled of a 6-0 run and never looked back.

The French closed the first half with an 11-3 run and took a 41-31 lead into halftime, but it was in the third period when they made the game safe.

France's Thomas Larrouquis was the key man in France's scoring burst. The 192 cm shooting guard showed he can put the ball in the basket in the opening game against Russia when he netted 16 points in 15 minutes.

His offensive abilities came to the fore once again against Croatia as he scored 8 points in a 14-0 French run to open the third quarter. The spurt gave France a 58-31 lead at the 27 minute mark and there was no way back for Croatia.

Larrouquis top scored for France with 17 points, while point guard Yannick Bokolo added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

France's win earns them a match-up with title favourites Lithuania on Tuesday in the quarter-final round, while Croatia fail to make the top 8 at the U20 European Championship for the second year in succession.

recap (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&teamID=282&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=3794&coid={88D926E2-80D0-49E7-BBAE-EFB5E40AF084}&articleMode=on)

boxscore (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&pageID={E2D1324D-C75E-4FD0-BDBE-62FDA1E058C4}&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=3794&teamID=282&gameID=4350-C-5-3&)

[Solid D]

Thanks for posting, Karl.

Croatia didn't have much bench scoring (6 points).

Ian's 5 TOs isn't too cool.

[Karl Mundt]

Thanks for posting, Karl.

Croatia didn't have much bench scoring (6 points).

Ian's 5 TOs isn't too cool.

I've posted the link for the TO leaders in the tournament in another thread. It seems they are running rampant with a bunch of players averaging over 5 per game. Either it's a different system of counting the TOs, or the games are just completely erratic.

[JUUOT]

really good for France . alllleee!
turnovers are bad. and only one rebound? but on the bright side:

- i have posted on Ian difficulties on making shots. he is 3on 4 for this game. 75% it is a lot better.

- Ian keep it going at the foul line with combined 12/14 85%

So it is average result. Ian would benefit from a second guy like petro. france is clearly not favorite for the quarter final.

[angel_luv]

I have a couple of undies for sale & they were taken from the drawer so they're clean..bidding starts @ $50 Angel.


No thanks. I need access to Beno's address book and telephone caller id lists... I want Rasho's digits. What is that going to cost me?

[spurschick]

No thanks. I need access to Beno's address book and telephone caller id lists... I want Rasho's digits. What is that going to cost me?

http://www.slovenianstalker.com/

[angel_luv]

What was it Melissa? I clicked the link but says page can no longer be displayed.

[spurschick]

What was it Melissa? I clicked the link but says page can no longer be displayed.

:lmao :lmao :lmao
It was a joke! Although I should probably buy that domain name now and put a big picture of you on the home page.

[angel_luv]

Hehehe! I am so stupid! But in my defense, I was just scared senseless! = )

I P.S. I have a picture of Rasho and me together that you can use for the front page.

[spurschick]

Hehehe! I am so stupid! But in my defense, I was just scared senseless! = )

I P.S. I have a picture of Rasho and me together that you can use for the front page.

I didn't think the restraining order allowed you to get that close.

[angel_luv]

Silly girl! You got your story wrong. What happened was Rasho was totally taken with me, so much so that he had to restrain himself in order not to take me right then and there.

I'm so glad to finally be able to set the record straight! = )

[Karl Mundt]

Does anyone know Mirza Begic (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid={95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6}&teamID=2154&compID={792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4}&season=2005&roundID=4350&playerID=44006) ?

I must admit that I have never heard of him. (or maybe i forgot) He is extremely tall (7-4) and in 27 minutes he had 5 blocks.

Never heard of him, but seems like an interesting project. After his 8 blocks yesterday he's averaging 6 per game, and has shot 17/22 from the field and 7/7 from the line so far.

[SlovenianGuy]

Yes, he had 18 blocks in 3 games. In the second place is Fesenko from Ukraine with only 8 blocks in 3 games :)

total blocks and blocks per game (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid=%7B95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6%7D&pageID=%7BB12E8FC5-3DEC-464C-81CE-8301D8AF32B1%7D&compID=%7B792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4%7D&roundID=3794&season=2005&statCat=BlockedShots)

And some even more interesting stats where Mirza Begic occupies the first three places:

blocked shots in single game (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid=%7B95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6%7D&pageID=%7B2634CE25-EC67-449E-A919-77A30A422270%7D&compID=%7B792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4%7D&roundID=3794&season=2005&statLeadersCat=BlockedShots)

[SlovenianGuy]

I have done some research about Mirza.

He signed 5-year deal with virtus bologne. He played in belgium last season. And I also found him on the 2007 mock draft (56th).

2007 mock draft (http://nbadraft.net/index.asp?content=mock2007)

[Karl Mundt]

Does Virtus Bologna even exist anymore? I thought the club disbanded or at least moved to the 3rd or 4th division. He's projected pretty low in the mock draft, but they also list him as 7-1, so i guess he grew 2 inches since that projection. As i said before, i don't know anything about the kid, but teams like to gamble first round picks for big men like that who can shoot. We'll see in a few years.. :hat

[Solid D]

Does Virtus Bologna even exist anymore? I thought the club disbanded or at least moved to the 3rd or 4th division. He's projected pretty low in the mock draft, but they also list him as 7-1, so i guess he grew 2 inches since that projection. As i said before, i don't know anything about the kid, but teams like to gamble first round picks for big men like that who can shoot. We'll see in a few years.. :hat
Yes. See link below.
http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=1820

[waly.mg]

so Beno and Rasho didn't play. LOL. Then I don't care nearly as much.

Yap, Rasho didn´t play, if rasho play the score probably will be 100-60

[Slo spurs fan]

Yap, Rasho didn´t play, if rasho play the score probably will be 100-60
:rolleyes

[Karl Mundt]

Yes. See link below.
http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=1820

Thanks. :hat


...Match was full of incidents, several times stopped because of fights between fans, ...

Welcome to European basketball :spin

[JUUOT]

in today s game against the best team of the tournament, France lost by 22 points.

worst than this Ian disapeared playing only 7 minuts. for 2 points a rebound and a block. i hope it is for match up problems and not because he is hurt.

Pierre parker had a good game but i do not have time to post stats. i will edit later.

[picnroll]

Maybe they were just resting Ian since they weren't going to beat Lithuania and already have advanced? Parker playing minutes suggests they were giving scrubs a go.

[timvp]

Maybe they were just resting Ian since they weren't going to beat Lithuania and already have advanced? Parker playing minutes suggests they were giving scrubs a go.

True, hopefully that was the case.

[TDMVPDPOY]

This is U20 comp right, wtf cant Ian beat this Lith team or are they adaptin POPs mind games...

[Karl Mundt]

Yes, he had 18 blocks in 3 games. In the second place is Fesenko from Ukraine with only 8 blocks in 3 games :)

total blocks and blocks per game (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid=%7B95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6%7D&pageID=%7BB12E8FC5-3DEC-464C-81CE-8301D8AF32B1%7D&compID=%7B792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4%7D&roundID=3794&season=2005&statCat=BlockedShots)

And some even more interesting stats where Mirza Begic occupies the first three places:

blocked shots in single game (http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid=%7B95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6%7D&pageID=%7B2634CE25-EC67-449E-A919-77A30A422270%7D&compID=%7B792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4%7D&roundID=3794&season=2005&statLeadersCat=BlockedShots)

After 7 games still averaging 5.9 blocks. Also shooting 86% from the free throw line. I bet you this kid gets drafted in the top 15. :smokin Another name to remember is Markota, leading scorer and rebounder, 19 years old, 6'10'' to 6'11''.

http://www.u20men2005.com/en/Default.asp?cid=%7B95C05EF2-D759-4BFD-A1A7-99827527B6D6%7D&pageID=%7BB12E8FC5-3DEC-464C-81CE-8301D8AF32B1%7D&compID=%7B792A6AB7-C6A6-434B-BEA5-9BF1BC619DB4%7D&roundID=3794&season=2005&statCat=BlockedShots

[Karl Mundt]

Mahinmi: 7 games, 7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.3 assists, 1.1 steal, 0.3 blocks and 1.7 TO in 18.3 minutes per game. Shooting only 43% from the field. His last game was his best by far, scoring 18 points along with 9 rebounds. Doesn't look to be having a great tournament by those stats, but who knows.

[JUUOT]

thanks karl

i also think ian made a so-so tournament. he was put under the pressure being new to the team and suddenly becoming a go to in the paint due to the absence of Petro and his status from the draft.

his lack of experience caught him up i think. however just like parker this young boy seems to not repeat twice errors and learn fast. still big hope in him.

the regular season with le havre should tell us more on him. he will not be a spur before two more season most certainly 3.

he is the future of the french team and maybee for the spurs. he is in good hands

looking closely. it is interesting to compare how he did to the rest of the team. not the best scorer but best rebounder. he did not emerge as the waited boss of the paint.
but he was one of the best french player and arguably the best interior

[JUUOT]

guys here is the TRUTH. from the french basketball federation

"Ian Mahinmi, gêné par une entorse depuis plusieurs matches, semble retrouver ses sensations et fait régner sa loi dans la raquette"

Ian mahimni who is bothered by a twisted ankle for several games finally was able to find his rythm and control the paint!!!

"son coach qui a dû composer avec un Ian Mahinmi très diminué puisque victime d’une entorse de la cheville la veille contre la Lituanie. Réduit à six minutes sur le parquet hier, le pivot havrais n’a évolué que 12 minutes aujourd’hui"

his coach had to compose with a not 100% ian mahinmi cause of an ankle twist contracted against lithuania. limited to six minutes because of his ankle, he then played only 12 the following game.

the coach was hoping he would get better for the end of tournament. now we know it is the case


that is good news. with a bad ankle he made a decent tournament . that reminds you someone?

http://www.basketfrance.com/actu/actu.php?id=1789

[usckk]

Yeah, Duncan!!!

[TheTruth]

Did Pierre Parker deserve a spot on the team, or was it simply because he is Tony's brother that he is there?

[JUUOT]

pierre parker deserved a spot. he was not a main player and little bit undersyzed fo SG even if taller than TP.

he is playing in US so summer tournaments are the only time the coaches can bring him in and take a close look and work with him. i think he is promising. the word is he is better than TJ at least

[TheTruth]

pierre parker deserved a spot. he was not a main player and little bit undersyzed fo SG even if taller than TP.

he is playing in US so summer tournaments are the only time the coaches can bring him in and take a close look and work with him. i think he is promising. the word is he is better than TJ at least
Cool, Thanks.

[Kori Ellis]

Thanks for the info (as always) JUUOT.

[JUUOT]

it is FINISH on a loss to grece by one point.

so if you followed carefully you know

- france did fine finishing 6 that was the objective
- Ian was hurt during the 4th game and twist an ankle, limiting his playing time for 2 games
- Ian for the first of his 2 years as U20 became a starter and a leader of the team.
- Ian (with petro not there because of summer league) is the new hope for a great french interior

Instead of giving you raw numbers i substracted the 2 games were he played limited minutes and kept the 6 games where he played 20mn or more.

so the stat line is
per game : 9pts 6.1rb (2.3) offensive on .486% 2point and .75% FT
for an average playing time of 22,6mn

next steps for Ian is working to add strenghts and prepare the HAVRE season

[MI21]

Thanks alot, JUUOT, you are one of the most informative posters here.

[Karl Mundt]

Russia wins the championship, defeats Lithuania in the Finals


17 July 2005

Russia are the 2005 ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Champions after a 61-53 defeat against Lithuania in Sunday’s final.

In a mistake-filled, tension-packed contest, it was Russia who were able to just do enough to edge their counterparts after an enthralling 40 minutes.

It was clear from the opening tip that the game would not be a classic encounter, especially between two sides that have played such tenacious defense throughout the tournament.



Renaldas Seibutis (Lithuania)
Renaldas Seibutis was the only Lithuanian player to offer a consistent offensive threat
The atmosphere only added to the players’ nerves as over 3,000 supporters filled the Olympisky Arena to cheer on the home side.

Lithuania did not seem to be effected by nervousness at the start and they scored the game’s opening 7 points to no reply from Russia.

But Russia got off the mark through consecutive three-pointers from Egor Vyaltsev and Anton Podrashkin and then Vitaly Fridzon hit a jump shot to give them their first lead, 10-9.

It was a lead which they would retain until the final buzzer.

Although Russia remained in front, their grip on the game was not enough for them to be able to relax. Lithuania were always within striking distance, but although they tied the score on 3 separate occasions, they were unable to get their noses in front.

Lithuania had nobody but themselves to blame for the loss.

With the 210 Dmitri Sokolov on the court, Russia could not risk playing man-to-man defense and allowing Lithuania’s quicker players to draw their big guys away from the basket.

The result was a barrage of open three-point shots against Russia's zone defense. Today, however, the normally sharp-shooting Lithuanians were a woeful 5/29 from behind the arc.

Despite Lithuania’s problems, Russia were not much better on the offensive end, and they were continually unable to take advantage of their opponents’ poor shooting.

Both sides were stricken with nerves down the stretch and it became clear that in the fourth quarter, the team that could come up with 2 or 3 consecutive baskets would probably win.

Due to their poor shooting changed tactics, attacking Russia’s defense, rather than settling for the outside shot. At first the new found strategy worked, and an Arturas Jomantas jump shot reduced Russia’s lead to two points, 43-41 after 3 minutes of the final period.

But the Russians regrouped, outscoring Lithuania 8-2 and a dunk from Nikita Kurbanov re-ignited the crowd and restored their advantage, 51-43.


Nikita Shabalkin (Russia)

Nikita Shabalkin had a double-double for Russia, 12 points and 11 rebounds



Lithuania were still not down and out and when Renaldas Seibutis, a lone bright spark in the poor Lithuanian offense, hit a jump shot with 48 seconds remaining, Russia’s lead was 4 points, 54-40.

Needing a turnover, the Lithuanians put fullcourt pressure on the Russians, coming desperately close to a steal. But instead, the Rusisans turned the near-miss into a 3-on-1 fast break and Kurbanov executed the play to perfection, waiting for the covering defense to arrive before converting the lay-up with the foul.

Trailing 6 points with 40 seconds left, Lithuania were out of chances and their gold medal dreams were over.

“It was not good basketball, but I think in the final you don’t always have good basketball. You play for the result,” said Russian assistant coach Andrey Maltsev

Today we played good defense, but not good offense. But the crowd helped us and the guys won.”

Today Russia was the better team. We do not have stars, the team is the star and they showed that today,” he added.

Lithuanian Head Coach Rimas Kurtinaitis acknowledged that it was his side’s poor shooting which cost them the chance for victory.

“Again we had problems like in the last game, we missed a lot of 3-point shots and free throws.

Maybe we were tired a little bit mentally. Maybe they (the players) were thinking too much about results, about medals, but it’s not their physical condition,” he said in explanation of his side’s poor finish to the competition after an excellent start.

But in spite of the defeat, Kurtinaitis remained upbeat.

“This is the first step in the future for these players in basketball, so sometimes you need to learn from mistakes like today. We are a small country, we are a basketball country, we are at the top of Europe so I’m happy,” he said.

Anton Ponkrashov was the steadiest Russian performer on the day, leading the team with 13 points and making 3/5 thee-pointers. Nikita Shabalkin added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Seibutis was the only consistent threat for Lithuania and he finished the game with 17 points, albeit on 7/8 shooting.