Preparation Games for Eurobasket 2011

[ZizzitSlo]

Belgium - Germany, last four minutes report:

A close game. Both teams played a very static offence, with passes to the post at C and PF go-to guys. For Germans this is only logical tactic with both Nowitzki and Kaman in play, for Belgiums it was a bad decision as both guys did great in defence, too. Nowitzki did his job, defeated them single-handedly, but Belgium did miss 3 FT's that proved to be crucial for their loss. Not much movement off the ball from both teams, especially Belgium seemed to struggle with tempo and shuffling the German defence, both as a team and 1-on-1. However, with one nicely constructed play, they found an empty space in the lane one time to tie the score. They attemped two 3pt's, but too late (when already behind, 20 sec to go) and both were horrifically wide. Both teams look well disciplined, even too much, as they lacked flair in the last seconds, even though it was just a prep game.

[Silvio]

Germany - Belgium 71-65
Dirk 18 pts (4/10 FG, but 9/11 FT) and 6 rebs, Kaman 17 pts, 9 rebs and 2 blocks. Both played only 22 1/2 minutes and connected well with teammates already in 1st game.
Belgium made game deceptively close hitting 10 of first 20 three pointers (still great 10/23 in the end), big Germans forced them into outside shooting.
Lauwers scored 14 pts with 3/5 three pointers, Faison 10 with 3/3 three pointers. Hervelle good as usually 8+8 with 2 steals (though 4/12 shooting). Van Den Spiegel played 14 minutes only, DJ Mbenga even less, 10 minutes.

Germany looking good, Belgium looked good tonight too. Germans will be dangerous, Belgians might be dangerous in some games - could play role of a spoiler.

[Darknemo2000]

Turns out that Jonas had 13 points and 16 rebounds today. He had nearly half of lithuania's total rebounds.

[rikhardur]

That failed inbound pass resulting in a TO in the last thirty seconds simply cannot happen at this level, even in preparation games. I think it was Hamann.

[Silvio]

F.Y.R. of Macedonia - Montenegro 79-74

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/8416/03/88/52/671RMAdqs3xY/

Teams are in same group in Lithuania and actually play each other on opening day of Eurobasket. Teams already met at tournament in Slovenia (Montenegro von easily 67-57, but Macedonian coach could not count on center Gecevski in that game and decided to rest guard Ilievski). Probably coaches were hiding their cards in both games. So this is pretty irrelevant game, except for fact that Gecevski finally joined Macedonian team (I have no clue if he was injured or just rested long). That makes this first MKD game this summer with complete roster.

Gecevski had nice 15 pts and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes played. Lester Bo Mekkaleb (that's McCalebb) had 16 pts with 5 steals and 2 asissts. Vojdan Stojanovski 15 pts. Antic only 8 pts, outrageous 0/7 FG, but 8/10 FT, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.
For Montenegro Pekovic destroyed inside with 23 pts on 7/9 FG and 9/9 FT with 7 rebounds and 2 steals. Dasic scored 14 pts on 6/9 shooting with 8 rebounds.

[stefann7693]

After the game Dirk gave a short interview.

- he was very tired. No legs.
- but he will be OK
- he should improve from game to game and play a "solid euro tornament"
- he thinks that there were some good stretches but the team still has lot work to do

[Silvio]

Remaining two games at "Trophy Macedonia 2011" tournament in Skopje are:

Saturday 21:00 CET (GMT +1)
Montenegro - New Zealand
Link


Sunday 21:00 CET (GMT +1)
F.Y.R. of Macedonia - New Zealand
Link

EDIT:
edited links

[Vlatko.klp]

Remaining two games at "Trophy Macedonia 2011" tournament in Skopje are:

Saturday 21:00 CET
Montenegro - New Zealand

http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches/8416/03/88/53/52Vx87HU5kmEY/

Sunday 21:00 CET
FYRM - New Zealand
http://www.fibalivestats.com/matches...26ADwGIlKjmms/

Instead of that stupid FYRM can you please write Macedonia next time? I get allergic when I see those letters, and even if you want to sound "right" it should be F.Y.R. of Macedonia

[banou7]

After the game Dirk gave a short interview.

- he was very tired. No legs.
- but he will be OK
- he should improve from game to game and play a "solid euro tornament"
- he thinks that there were some good stretches but the team still has lot work to do

Germany has to focus on improving that three-point defense. The Belgians found rythm behind the arc and were taking advantage of that german weakness.
Looking forward for a great game this afternoon!

[Kalashnikov]

Instead of that stupid FYRM can you please write Macedonia next time? I get allergic when I see those letters, and even if you want to sound "right" it should be F.Y.R. of Macedonia

now, I don't want to be the wise guy here, but if you really want to be right, it should be "The Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia", as recognised by the United Nations and the EU, or otherwise, The FYROM (yes, "The" is a part of your name, and you are listed under "T" in the list of countries). The acronym is fine and does not offend anyone else in the forum.

[Roy M]

WTF???

http://www.turkbasket.com/sayfa/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6642:yunanistan-idman-yapt-62-38&catid=42:a-erkek&Itemid=401

lol...
Turkey with full roster!
8:2 the last quarter...

[iskoch]

I just watched Turkey's game, there is nothing to take serious in this game because what we played is not basketball. Our guys did the same during 40 mins; screen-pass-shot... This is not basketball, when 3 guys come together in the street first time, play this game.

If a NT in this level do this during 40 mins, there's nothing to get serious...
I think we are trying to look weak and hiding set plays...
Can't explain this match otherwise...

[Roy M]

I just watched Turkey's game, there is nothing to take serious in this game because what we played is not basketball. Our guys did the same during 40 mins; screen-pass-shot... This is not basketball, when 3 guys come together in the street first time, play this game.

If a NT in this level do this during 40 mins, there's nothing to get serious...
I think we are trying to look weak and hiding set plays...
Can't explain this match otherwise...

I didn't watch the game, but I don't think that when those two NT are playing each other, Turkey will be not serious.

[iskoch]

I didn't watch the game, but I don't think that when those two NT are playing each other, Turkey will be not serious.

How can you explain playing screen-pass-shot game during 40 mins then?

You may watch it here any time you want by the way...

http://tvarsivi.com/player.php?y=4&z=2011-08-19%2018:30:00

[Roy M]

How can you explain playing screen-pass-shot game during 40 mins then?

You may watch it here any time you want by the way...

http://tvarsivi.com/player.php?y=4&z...-19%2018:30:00

The main Turkey's problem is the PG position.
Tunceri is poor, Arselan in more SG and Ilyasova and Hido, best as they are, need PG to be efective.

It (early maybe to compare) is like Pilsen. Great team with no PG's...