By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Both national teams were coming off two defeats to start the 2022 EuroBasket. The favorite to finally get off the mark was the Czech Republic, and it held off a furious rally to top the Netherlands, 88-80, Monday.
The losing side was going to be pushed to the brink of elimination but Jan Vesely was the aggressor early and ended up with 24 points behind 9/10 two-pointers alongside seven rebounds. The former NBA player was perfect, 6/6, from the free-throw line, including a couple of makes with 49 seconds left to weather the storm.
“We showed against Serbia, in the second half, the way we want to play. And today we did it for almost 35 minutes, except for the beginning of the third quarter,” said Vesely in the postgame press conference, “I am happy for the performance we had as a team.”
Looking for the improbable comeback from a 23-point deficit, the Netherlands cut the deficit to three points. The threat was neutralized by the players guided by Ronen Ginzburg en route to the 1-2 record.
Beyond the new addition to FC Barcelona, Martin Peterka sank a clutch three-pointer to get his side in a safe distance with 21 seconds remaining. He scored 20 points in the Group D Gameday 3 contest. Tomas Kyzlink had 12 points, nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals.
Tomas Satoransky missed a second straight game due to injury. Hoping for all hands on deck will be the case for the Czech Republic with Finland and Israel coming up Tuesday and Thursday. Traveling to Berlin for the knockout stage of the tournament is at stake.
At 0-3, Maurizio Buscaglia’s is all but eliminated with two games left on the round-robin schedule of the group held in Prague’s O2 Arena. PAOK mateco newcomer Yannick Franke tallying 22 points was not enough for the win against the hosts.
“It was really bad in the first half, kind of embarrassing, that is how I felt about it,” confessed Franke, who was considered doubtful to play in the EuroBasket due to an injury suffered in the training camp, “We had a good talk at halftime. Luckily, we showed some pride for the national team, for the flag.”
“We are the Netherlands, but we want to win one game,” shouted Buscaglia after commenting on the comeback falling short.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL