1st Quarter
Greece leads 10-2, the game has started really physical. Vassilis Spanoulis has already attempted 4 free throws for Greece. Olumide Oyedeji has 2 fouls in less than 4 minutes for Nigeria.
After Greece went up by 7, Nigeria made a three and a basket and a foul in their next possession to cut Greece lead down to 1.
2:59 - Greece has a 17-15 lead, Spanoulis has drawn 4 fouls on the Nigerians, but have missed 4 free throws. Nigeria is playing tough
End of 1st: Greece 21, Nigeria 21.
2nd Quarter
7:40 - Spanoulis hits another three, Greece is up by 5. Greece isn't scoring as easily against Nigeria compared to the other teams they play against earlier in the tournament.
Nigeria has gone 5 minutes without scoring a single point. They've been defending well, but not getting enough scoring.
4:50 - Greece leads 32-25. Al Farauq Aminu is drawing fouls and getting into the paint.
3:14 - Al Farouq Aminu goes flying in for the huge dunk and Nigeria is only down by 4.
End of 2nd - Greece 42, Nigeria 30.
Ioannis Bourossis made some huge plays at the end, scoring baskets in the paint and passing the ball exceptionally well, he ended up with 9 first half points Bourossis and Spanoulis were responsible for giving Greece a 12 point lead, Spanoulis ended the half with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Aminu had 7 points, 4 rebounds for Nigeria, but also got 3 fouls. Nigeria kept the game close for most of the half, that 5 minute drought they had in the 2nd quarter wasn't much help.
3rd Quarter
8:19 - Aminu got called for his 4th foul, it was drawn by Bourossis. Nigeria is in big trouble, Aminu hasn't been shooting well, but his energy has been really good. Getting steals, getting into the paint and drawing fouls.
6:50 - Back two back baskets by Spanoulis gives the Greeks a 13 point lead, Spanoulis has 17 points.
3:30 - Nigeria won't lay down, they started guarding even more aggressively, getting to the basket at will, drawing fouls and the lead now 3.
End of 3rd: Greece 56, Nigeria 50.
When Spanoulis went to the bench and Nigeria started penetrating to the basket until of shooting for long shots, the game changed completely. Anthony Skinn, Ike Diogu & Alame Aminu were the ones that took it to the paint and got Nigeria back into it.
4th Quarter
8:39 - Al Farauq Aminu beat Bouroussis and got an incredible and one. Nigeria is down 2.
7:17 - Incredible, Nigeria shot 1-16 out of the three point line in the first 3 quarters, but have made 2 in the 4th period already. Ike Diogu just made one and put Nigeria just 2 points behind.
6:06 - Anthony Skinn hits a tough floater and ties the game at 65.
3:30 - Spanoulis is doing everything for Greece, he's making it look easy, however, every time he scores, Nigeria responds with baskets from both Aminu brothers. Greece is up 2.
2:10 - Ike Diogu missed a shot, Aminu followed it with a huge put slam giving Nigeria a 2 point lead with 2 minutes remaining.
1:33 - Aminu though he was fouled when he drove to the basket, Greece got the ball in the fast break to Spanoulis, he was fouled by Al Farauq Aminu. Aminu has fouled out. Nigeria is up 1 after Spanoulis hit 1 out of 2.
1:10 - Daganduru made a two point shot and Gave Nigeria a 3 point lead.
44 seconds - Bourossis hits a layup, Nigeria missed a rush shot, Bourossis got fouled and made two free throws. Greece is now up 1. 76-75
19 seconds - Dagunduro made a huge three giving Nigeria a two point lead.
14 secs - Papanikolau responded and made a three of his own. No hesitation. Greece is up 1.
3 secs - Dagunduro went to the basket and got fouled. He's going to the free throw line with Nigeria down 1. Dagunduro made both free throws, giving Nigeria a 1 point lead.
With 2 seconds remaining Vassilis Spanoulis took a shot to win the game, but was blocked by Alade Aminu and Nigeria won the game.
Final Score: Nigeria 80, Greece 79.
Incredible upset by the Nigerians, no one thought they had a chance of winning against Greece, no one.
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Showing posts with label Greece. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greece. Show all posts
Friday, July 6, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Day 1.
Russia 91 - Korea 56
Russia knew they couldn't risk to lose this game against a weak opponent in Korea and they sure played like the superior team. Russia made 12 of their first 13 field goals and put the game away as early as the first quarter, they led the first quarter by 11 points and had a 19 point lead to enter the half. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points, Sergey Monya 14 and Timofey Mozgov and Sasha Kaun each contributed with 12.
Korea only had one player in double figures, center Eric Andrin scored 15 points.
What this means: Russia has the day off tomorrow and only need a victory against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to clinch or wait and see if Dominican Republic can beat Korea tomorrow. Russia will be safe with either of those two things happening. Korea will fight for their life tomorrow, one more loss and they are eliminated, they will have a very tough task tomorrow, i don't see them beating the Dominican Republic.
Greece 107 - Jordan 63
Greece dominated this game even better than Russia in the first game, and that's saying something. Behind 8 first quarter points by Antonios Fotsis, Greece took a 33-12 first quarter lead. The second and third quarter Greece finished with leads of 33 and 38 points. Kostas Papanikolau ended up with 19 points and Georgios Printezis had 16, both players belong to the New York Knicks if they ever decide to play in America. Enver Soobzokov had 14 for Jordan.
What this means: Jordan plays Puerto Rico tomorrow, Jordan will play for the right to stay alive.. If Puerto Rico beats them, it's over for them. Greece has the night off.
Angola 88 - FYROM 84
This was the first surprised of the qualifiers, Macedonia looked really good during last year's Eurobasket, but didn't played like that today. Bo McCaleb scored 21 points and Pero Antic had 17, they tried to will Macedonia back into the game, getting as close as two points, but that 13 point Angola lead was too much to overcome. Eduardo Mingas and Olimpio Cipriano combined for 47 points in the win for Angola.
What this means: Tomorrow Macedonia will play against New Zealand, they need to win or they will watch the rest of the tourney from home. New Zealand will get themselves a chance to go to the quarterfinals with a win tomorrow and eliminating Macedonia in the process.
Venezuela 71 - Nigeria 69
Venezuela had a 9 point lead in different occasions, but couldn't hold on to it and needed every one of Greivis Vasquez 24 points to get a 2 point win. Nigeria missed a lot of easy shots that could have turned the result of this game in a different way. David Cubillan and Gregory Echenique had 14 and 13 points respectively. Nigeria counted with a double double from Ike Diogu (14-10) as well as 12 points from Ekene Ibekwe.
What this means: Venezuela will play against Lithuania tomorrow and they will advance to the quarterfinals stage if they get the victory. Another possible way for the host to advance is to hope Lithuania beats Nigeria on Wednesday and Nigeria finishes with a 0-2 record. Nigeria will rest tomorrow and their game against Lithuania on Wednesday is a do or die
Photo Credit: Raul Alzaga
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Russia knew they couldn't risk to lose this game against a weak opponent in Korea and they sure played like the superior team. Russia made 12 of their first 13 field goals and put the game away as early as the first quarter, they led the first quarter by 11 points and had a 19 point lead to enter the half. Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points, Sergey Monya 14 and Timofey Mozgov and Sasha Kaun each contributed with 12.
Korea only had one player in double figures, center Eric Andrin scored 15 points.
What this means: Russia has the day off tomorrow and only need a victory against the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to clinch or wait and see if Dominican Republic can beat Korea tomorrow. Russia will be safe with either of those two things happening. Korea will fight for their life tomorrow, one more loss and they are eliminated, they will have a very tough task tomorrow, i don't see them beating the Dominican Republic.
Greece 107 - Jordan 63
Greece dominated this game even better than Russia in the first game, and that's saying something. Behind 8 first quarter points by Antonios Fotsis, Greece took a 33-12 first quarter lead. The second and third quarter Greece finished with leads of 33 and 38 points. Kostas Papanikolau ended up with 19 points and Georgios Printezis had 16, both players belong to the New York Knicks if they ever decide to play in America. Enver Soobzokov had 14 for Jordan.
What this means: Jordan plays Puerto Rico tomorrow, Jordan will play for the right to stay alive.. If Puerto Rico beats them, it's over for them. Greece has the night off.
Angola 88 - FYROM 84
This was the first surprised of the qualifiers, Macedonia looked really good during last year's Eurobasket, but didn't played like that today. Bo McCaleb scored 21 points and Pero Antic had 17, they tried to will Macedonia back into the game, getting as close as two points, but that 13 point Angola lead was too much to overcome. Eduardo Mingas and Olimpio Cipriano combined for 47 points in the win for Angola.
What this means: Tomorrow Macedonia will play against New Zealand, they need to win or they will watch the rest of the tourney from home. New Zealand will get themselves a chance to go to the quarterfinals with a win tomorrow and eliminating Macedonia in the process.
Venezuela 71 - Nigeria 69
Venezuela had a 9 point lead in different occasions, but couldn't hold on to it and needed every one of Greivis Vasquez 24 points to get a 2 point win. Nigeria missed a lot of easy shots that could have turned the result of this game in a different way. David Cubillan and Gregory Echenique had 14 and 13 points respectively. Nigeria counted with a double double from Ike Diogu (14-10) as well as 12 points from Ekene Ibekwe.
What this means: Venezuela will play against Lithuania tomorrow and they will advance to the quarterfinals stage if they get the victory. Another possible way for the host to advance is to hope Lithuania beats Nigeria on Wednesday and Nigeria finishes with a 0-2 record. Nigeria will rest tomorrow and their game against Lithuania on Wednesday is a do or die
Photo Credit: Raul Alzaga
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Sunday, July 1, 2012
2012 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. July 2-8
The tournament to determine who will get the last three spots to compete in the London Olympics will start tomorrow and will be over by the eight, the location will be Caracas, Venezuela. 12 teams will be divided in four different groups, each team will play all the other teams in its own group. Only two out of three teams in any group will advance to the quarterfinals, and after just 2 games, 4 teams will be out watching the rest at home.
The next phase will be similar to what the NCAA does in their tournament, the eight teams that advanced from the first round will play against each other, four teams will advance, four will be eliminated.
Those four teams that won in the quarterfinals, will play a game and the two winners will go to London and the two losers are going to battle for the third and Final ticket.
Group A
Greece
Puerto Rico
Jordan
Group B
Lithuania
Venezuela
Nigeria
Group C
Russia
Dominican Republic
Korea
Group D
FYROM
New Zealand
Angola
Memorable names playing: Vassilis Spanoulis, Nick Calathes, Ioannis Bourousis, Carlos Arroyo, Renaldo Balkman, Jose Juan Barea, Jonas Valanciunas, Sarunas Jasikevicius, Linas Kleiza, Martynas Pocius, Greivis Vasquez, Andrei Kirilenko, Timofey Mozgov, Viktor Khryapa, Sasha Kaun, Alexey Shved, Al Horford, Jack Michael Martinez, Francisco Garcia, Pero Antic, & Bo McCalebb,
1st round Schedule:
7/2/12
Russia vs Korea
Greece vs Jordan
Angola vs Macedonia
Nigeria vs Venezuela
7/3/12
Korea vs Dominican Republic
Macedonia vs New Zealand
Jordan vs Puerto Rico
Venezuela vs Lithuania
7/4/12
New Zealand vs Angola
Dominican Republic vs Russia
Lithuania vs Nigeria
Greece vs Puerto Rico
Photo Credit: Raul Alzaga
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Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Brazil is ready for the Eletrobras Tournament
The Brazilian national team has been practicing for the last 14 days, however, today will be the first time they will play against a different opponent than themselves. The Electrobas Tournament will start today, they will take place in San Carlos, Brazil. Greece, Nigeria, New Zealand will be joining Brazil in the tournament.
These games will be a good practice for Ruben Magnano's team to execute all the plays they have been working on and focusing on integrating guard, Marcelo Huertas, who joined the team earlier in the week, Huertas, a member of Regal FC Barcelona, was resting from winning the ACB championship in Spain.
San Carlos is also Nene's hometown, he's looking forward to playing there tonight, his kids and wife will be in attendance. The last time Nene played in front of his hometown was so long ago, he wasn't even a member of Brazil's national team.
Source: http://lnb.com.br
Follow me on Twitter @JohnnyNBA and Like us on Facebook.
These games will be a good practice for Ruben Magnano's team to execute all the plays they have been working on and focusing on integrating guard, Marcelo Huertas, who joined the team earlier in the week, Huertas, a member of Regal FC Barcelona, was resting from winning the ACB championship in Spain.
"I'm very motivated and with a great expectation to begin working with the group in order to dispute the Olympic Games in London. The preparation is an important part of our work, since we have a very high level competition ahead and we have to get optimal conditions, to our best, whether in physical appearance or even the tactical, " - Marcelo Huertas.
San Carlos is also Nene's hometown, he's looking forward to playing there tonight, his kids and wife will be in attendance. The last time Nene played in front of his hometown was so long ago, he wasn't even a member of Brazil's national team.
Source: http://lnb.com.br
Follow me on Twitter @JohnnyNBA and Like us on Facebook.
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