September 2013 60
France beat Lithuania 80-66 to finally lift their first EuroBasket title
After being carried into the final by Tony Parker on Friday night, the rest of the French team stood tall as a second quarter run sparked their charge to the title. Were it not for the golden generation of Spanish talent, this likely wouldn’t be Tony Parker’s first EuroBasket title. Were it not for Boris […]
EuroBasket: It all comes down to this
After 11 games and ups and downs, France and Lithuania enter Sunday’s EuroBasket 2013 final with a clean slate. The only thing that matters is who is in front when the final buzzer sounds. Key man: Tony Parker He is the tournament’s top scorer and unquestionably its biggest star. Whatever else happens in Ljubjana today, […]
EuroBasket: Early run drives Serbia to 2014 FIBA World Cup
A stunning start for Serbia proved decisive as Dusan Ivkovic’s charges won the win or stay home World Cup decider with Italy 76-64. It took Italy a full quarter to realise the importance of this game and they were left with too deep a hole to get out of. Serbia, who suffered horrible starts in […]
EuroBasket: Stars of the future on display at Under 18 All Star game
Before today’s 2014 FIBA World Cup qualification decider in Ljubjana, the Under 18 All Star game showcased some of the continent’s new talents. As always, young players look more polished in highlights. Poland’s Damian Jezke (Rosa Radom, #65 in DraftExpress 1995 international rankings) led the victorious Blue team with 13 points. Serbia’s Nikola Jokic (Mega […]
EuroBasket: Parker, France, finally get the best of Spain
It took overtime, it took Tony time, but France finally got the best of Spain. Now they move on to the final of EuroBasket 2013. Drama does not mean quality. There were extended periods of fantastic basketball when France played Spain on Friday night. There were equally lengthy spell where the play was horrid. Overtime […]
EuroBasket: Huge Q3 lifts Lithuania past Croatia 77-62
It was a battle from the start but only one team could make Sunday’s final. A third quarter burst move Lithuania past Croatia and into the gold medal game of EuroBasket 2013. Where did that come from? Linas Kleiza had 17 points and 7 boards in just the first half. The former Toronto Raptor delivered […]
Pooh Jeter, Ukrainian hero
Ukraine’s hopes in EuroBasket 2013 hung on how Pooh Jeter played. When it mattered most, the borsht lover delivered. Let’s compare two players at EuroBasket 2013. Player A: 7.25 PPG, 2.75 APG, 2.25 RPG Player B: 18 PPG, 5 APG, 4.2 RPG. Unless you didn’t read the title of this column you’ll have guessed that […]
EuroBasket Power Rankings: Spain rise to the top
Just in time for today’s semi finals to prove us completely wrong, here’s our updated Power Rankings for EuroBasket 2013 after the quarter final round. 1. Spain. It’s a what have you done for me lately business and nobody has done more than Spain. They leap Croatia on the back of an utter rout of Serbia. […]
Preview: Clash of the stars as Spain play France in semi final
It’s a rivalry that’s been bubbling for years. Tony Parker, Nicolas Batum, and Boris Diaw lead France against Spain’s Marc Gasol, Jose Calderon, and the bearded might of Sergio Rodriguez. Only one will advance to the final of EuroBasket 2013. Whatever we thought of Spain before the quarter finals was quickly swept aside on Wednesday. […]
Preview: EuroBasket drama guaranteed in Lithuania vs Croatia semi final
After booking their places in next year’s FIBA World Cup yesterday, Lithuania and Croatia have their eyes on a more immediate prize. A place in the final of EuroBasket 2013 is up for grabs. Who will take it? The first semi final of EuroBasket 2013 may lack the star power of Spain vs France but […]
EuroBasket: Lithuania beat Italy 81-77 in a classic
Lithuania and Italy served up the quarter final we had been waiting for in EuroBasket 2013. A battle down to the wire where Lithuania finally pulled through to book a date with Croatia. Finally a game worth killing for. The quarter finals were lacking something up until this point. We needed joie de mort. Where […]
EuroBasket: Croatia beats Ukraine 84-72 to reach semi finals
Croatia progressed to the semi finals of EuroBasket for the first time since 1995 and secured their spot in the 2014 FIBA World Cup in the process with victory over Ukraine on Thursday. The game started off with plenty of scoring but with neither side able to open a gap. The first quarter finished 22-22 […]