[1/4 Finals] Slovenia - Latvia

[Modis2]

Nothing to be sad about for our Latvian brothers when looking at the bigger picture you will only get better mainly these guys Porze 22, Timma 25, D.Bertans 24 will form a scary trio soon, you really needed Pasecniks at Center this guys future also looks very bright.

 

[xxax2]

Goddamit i almost had a heart attack 3x during this game. I guess it was great to watch if you weren't invested in it, but fucking hell was that stressful.

A bit of an emotional response, since i just finished watching, but by far the worst refereeing i've seen in this Eurobasket. Its obvious that the referees were completely out of their depth and they were horrible I'm especially pissed off because they 2x (yes twice) gave Latvians a way to come back into the game, just as we were gaining a lead on them. Fuck that. The last faul on Porzingis (which didn't exist) and then the technical were complete buillshit.
I wouldn't bring this up (since we won), for the simple reason that the Latvians played really aggressive and a bit dirty. That elbow on Dragic was disgusting, so anybody complaining about Randolph needs to rewatch the game.

That out of the way, i really fucking happy since i didn't like Latvia as a match up at all. But everyone performed like a boss. For me the best game of the tournament so far.

 

[Kwijibo2]

Dragic and Doncic were great. But for me real heroes are Vidmar, Randolph and Prepelic.

Where is the legend Goran JaGODnik?

 

[Kwijibo2]

Kwijibo got so dissapointed by the Doncic's game that he started watching Barca Juventus

He played agaisnt no defense like a training day. Let's see next game (i expect no navarro or san M guarding him...)

 

[Joško Poljak Fan2]

Where is the legend Goran JaGODnik?

He retired 4 months ago at the age of 42, playing for Ilirija (Dončič senior was coaching them) and if I recall corectly, was the no.1 scorer of Slovenian 2nd league. Some are doubting his retirement and... I guess we'll see in september if that's really the end. For the average trivia fans, his teamates were Jasmin Hukić (ex Bih NT) and Stipe Modrić (played in euroleague for Olimpija from 1999-2001) and I actualy heard a rumour that Vlatko Ilievski might join them, to bring some young blood into the team... but later didn't.

Damn, Dragič is playing borderline best basketball of his career and Dončič is actualy almost as effective ... plain sick.

I got a nervous breakdown when I saw Saša Zagorac running on court... already ...10 seconds before he got that foul on a threepointer. I actualy DO believe Jagodnik would do better than Zagorac on court...

Great win. I wasn't sure we can handle Latvian scoring. In my opinion Latvia is damn underated by most not only for this tournament, but more like for the past decade, just missing some luck to get some better result.

 

[xxax2]

He retired 4 months ago at the age of 42, playing for Ilirija (Dončič senior was coaching them) and if I recall corectly, was the no.1 scorer of Slovenian 2nd league. Some are doubting his retirement and... I guess we'll see in september if that's really the end. For the average trivia fans, his teamates were Jasmin Hukić (ex Bih NT) and Stipe Modrić (played in euroleague for Olimpija from 1999-2001) and I actualy heard a rumour that Vlatko Ilievski might join them, to bring some young blood into the team... but later didn't.

Damn, Dragič is playing borderline best basketball of his career and Dončič is actualy almost as effective ... plain sick.

I got a nervous breakdown when I saw Saša Zagorac running on court... already ...10 seconds before he got that foul on a threepointer. I actualy DO believe Jagodnik would do better than Zagorac on court...

Great win. I wasn't sure we can handle Latvian scoring. In my opinion Latvia is damn underated by most not only for this tournament, but more like for the past decade, just missing some luck to get some better result.

I have a criticism about Latvia though. When they play against set defense its like they don't have a strategy. They just shoot, regardless if they are completely covered or not and basically pray if the ball goes in.

 

[Straight forward2]

Wow, great game. Congrats to Slovenia, they deserve some success finally. On other hand, they finally have a good team and they face Spain in 4finals, not nice. Maybe they can shock BB world, we'll see.

 

[usagre2]

they finally have a good team and they face Spain in 4finals, not nice. Maybe they can shock BB world, we'll see.

I can't see how Slovenia beats Spain. They don't have the defense to limit them offensively like France did in the 2014 upset. And a shootout with Spain is suicide as well. Spain is gonna have to have a really off day and Dragic/Doncic probably need to combine for 60+ points just to have a shot.

 

[Killer Bob2]

http://www.eurohoops.net/en/eurobasket/514045/doncic-best-ever-eurobasket-performance-18-year-old/

 

[Killer Bob2]

I can't see how Slovenia beats Spain. They don't have the defense to limit them offensively like France did in the 2014 upset. And a shootout with Spain is suicide as well. Spain is gonna have to have a really off day and Dragic/Doncic probably need to combine for 60+ points just to have a shot.

Yes, Spain really looked convincing today. Without incredible shooting for 3 by Marc Gasol in second half they would have had big problems with Germany. I especially liked starting 5 with Navarro and San Emeterio. It will be fun to see them on Doncic.

 

[usagre2]

Yes, Spain really looked convincing today. Without incredible shooting for 3 by Marc Gasol in second half they would have had big problems with Germany. I especially liked starting 5 with Navarro and San Emeterio. It will be fun to see them on Doncic.

Spain coasted was never really in danger of losing. Led by 10+ points for almost the entire fourth quarter. To me that's convincing enough.

 

[usagre2]

I hope this Slovenian run changes Dragic's mind about retiring from the team. If they qualify for '19 World Cup he'll still only be 33 years old and I can only imagine how good a 20 year old Doncic will look.

 

[Boom_shakalaka2]

Nothing to be sad about for our Latvian brothers when looking at the bigger picture you will only get better mainly these guys Porze 22, Timma 25, D.Bertans 24 will form a scary trio soon, you really needed Pasecniks at Center this guys future also looks very bright.

There is also Rodions Kurucs (who could be 12th guy in this eurobasket Latvia's roster) from Barcelona. We have problems with guards, just like Lithuanians. Too bad Vecvagars (former Žalgiris player) didn't pan out due to injuries, would have been part of rotation in eurobasket. There are also two guards playing in Spanish ACB league from Porzingis generation Latvia's youth team. Hopefully at least one of them will become decent player, because Blums is retiring and Strelnieks and Dairis Bertans will be 31 at the next Eurobasket.

 

[Demi2]

I have a criticism about Latvia though. When they play against set defense its like they don't have a strategy. They just shoot, regardless if they are completely covered or not and basically pray if the ball goes in.

Latvia is very talented but very inexperienced, they have no strategies, they don't use their brains.That shot Porzingis took at 92-93 with more than 1 minute left, was the stupidest thing to do at sush an important attack for Latvia, you cannot win medals this way.

 

[CoachZ2]

The funniest part was Davis Bertans talking about referees after the game, not being on a high level

That guy is something. He should've been suspended after the first elbow, as well as Timma after that punch attempt. Then he lays out Dragic last night with another elbow and he keeps talking. That dude is now on my shit list officially...

 

[archaz2]

Totally agree about Latvia being inexperienced and dumb, on the other hand, that's normal:

1) KP playing in useless league with random basketball - don't have experience of "big games"
2) Dairis Bert. - first normal season in Euroleague with good coach, already 28
3) Strelnieks - most smartest guy and true leader of this team, was playing few season in Euroleague and is OK
4) Timma - still didn't play in Euroleague, first serious season in Baskonia
5) Davis Bert. - young, dumb, overhyped, had experience in Final 4 with Baskonia, but except throwing yolo 3pts did nothing
6) Smits - smart, great guy, always was in shadow of KP + AP, but from small Spanish team finally signed with Spanish powerhouse, typical Latvian hardworker
7) Peiners - no doubt best surprise for all Latvians, guy had heart problems for "all" his life, played in student half-pro team, but still his decisionmaking was million miles ahead of some of our "NBASUPERSTARS" and "ultra-experienced-captains".
8) Meiers - good guy, signed for Unics, but had only Latvian league + VTB experience.
9) Blums - avg player, still bad decisionmaking in 35y
10) 11) 12) tourists.

Again, congrats to all Slovenians, for me they were favorites of this game, Latvia was overhyped due to their amazing offence against Montenegro, but true and real Latvia was against Serbia - tiny, talented guys who cant even take defensive rebounds.

P.S. About dirty plays - please don't blame anyone except stupid, unprofessional referees, they are those who are making circus here in Eurobasket. Idiots from FIBA wanted to give "chance" to amateurs - here you are. Thanks, but not. Watched Randolph in Real for whole season, he looked great guy.

 

[Alyosha122]

An amazing game to watch, very exciting, amazing plays and scoring.

Latvia was amazing in the first half, thank god, their scoring % fell in the second half.

Damn, we are really in trouble when Vidmar is out of the game. Zagorac and Dimec almost cost us the game.

Congrats to Latvia, they played a hell of a game, and if we hadn't risen to the occasion and played phenomenally, we would have been blow out of the water. I mean all our key players showed up. Dragic and Doncic obviously, but also Randolph with his offense and defense, Prepelic with his 12/12 FT(!?), Vidmar with his 4 BLKs etc. Everyone showed up. Simply amazing, and rare to see, in any team and game, not just Slovenia.

Anyway please spare me the Randolph bashing, Porzingis was pulling him and hacking him the whole game, also talking trash. Randolph just said, if you like to talk take it outside, which is nothing bad.

Too bad the camera didn't show, how Timma came from behind and hit Dragic in the head after the first half ended. That lead to the small altercation after the first half. Lativan players attitude left much to be desired TBH. Great team, great players, but some shitty personalities if you ask me. Wish them all the best though.

After such a battle, it sure does suck, that you get to play Spain as a reward. LOL

 

[MirkoD2]

I can't see how Slovenia beats Spain

Just let some 10 min+ Rubio instead of Rodríguez in the game, and that's it

 

[inaminute232]

Not seen the game, but seen some highlights and it looked a brilliant contest. Slovenia will run Spain close, but will come unstuck. Spain by 5

 

[Darrell Armstrong2]

Just let some 10 min+ Rubio instead of Hernandez in the game, and that's it

Who is Hernandez?