By Niki Bakouli
Spartak St. Petersburg, BC Khimki, Lietuvos Rytas and Valencia Basket have the chance to win Eurocup’s trophy and a spot at next year’s Euroleague, after they qualified last night to the Finals, that will be held next month at Khimki, Russia.
Spartak St. Petersburg was the first team headed to Eurocup Finals, after they swept CEZ Nymburk. After 64-68 at Cez Arena, Jure Zdovc’s player defeated Nymburk at Yubileyni Sport Palace 86-71. Yotam Halperin and Janis Strelnieks were best scorers for the Russians (both scored 19 points). Playing his first Eurocup season, Halperin last night had 5/8 field goals, plus 7 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and zero TO at 28.59’’. Valery Likhodey finished also with double figure (11 points). Tre Simmons’ 22 points were not enough for Nymburk.
One hour later, BC Khimki lost to Lokomotiv Kuban (81-77), but they managed to keep the point difference from their win in the first game (81-72). That’s how they won the series and now they can play at… their own home arena for the Finals! Vitaly Fridzon had 17 points and 7 rebounds, Thomas Kelati followed with 16 points, Kresimir Loncar had 13 points and Zoran Planinic 12.As a matter of fact, only two other Khimki’s players scored… something (Vyaltsev 3, Quinn 5), while Lokomotiv got 22 points from Ali Traore, 19 from Jeremiah Massey (together with 8 rebounds), 11 from Vlado Ilievski and 10 from Maxim Sheleketo, with Bykov stopping at 7, Rivers at 5, Shukhovtsov at 4 and Blakney at 3.
About half an hour later, it was time for Lietuvos Rytas to seal its ticket to Eurocup Finals. Like BC Khimki, they lost to BC Donetsk (80-78), but they had won at Kaunas 76-65, so it was like… nothing happened. Tyrese Rice and Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points (each), Jomantas scored 12 and Rasic with Roberts from 11. From BC Donetsk Ramel Curry had double figures (26), together with Avdalovic (14), Kravtsov (12), Stojanovski (11) and Radenovic (10, with 8 rebounds).
Last but not least, Valencia Basket not only covered the -4 point difference of the first game against Buducnost Voli (75-71), but they totally ruled the second game (68-38, 29’), they won 85-63 and they got the last ticket for the Finals. Victor Claver had 13 points, Caner-Medley, Faverani and Ogilvy from 11, while Dubljevic gave 17 points to Buducnost, Anderson had 13 and Vitkovac 12.