By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The fighting spirit of the Netherlands provided one more exciting game in Zabreb. However, the hosts finally got the 78-72 win and even if they did it the hard way, they are near the second place in the final group standings.
Krunoslav Simon once again with a full stats line (18 p., 7 as., 8 r.) was the best of the winners, while also Bojan Bogdanovic and Dario Saric made crucial plays, even if they combined for 1/7 free throws. Roeland Schaftenaar who scored 19 points was the top scorer of the Netherlands who so far are having a respectable showing on the court.
To be exact, the Netherlands got even a 34-22 lead, but Croatia reacted quickly and got a 39-35 half time advantage. The unexperienced “Lions” of Holland couldn’t control the tempo, Croatia got a 62-53 lead at the end of the third quarter and never lost it. The Netherlands made it again a two points game (64-62) with six minutes left on the clock, still couldn’t get any closer.