Forward Sergey Karasev ('92) has lifted Russia to the first position of group B in the U-16 European Championship at Kaunas (Lithuania). The young prospect led his team to a 3-0 record with a victory over Poland (93-71). Karasev collected 33 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists, showing why he is one of the best scorers of the tournament. He received the help of his teammate Gleb Goldyrev ('93), author of 24 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 4 assists. Team coached by Sergey Skorochkin made a good first half (50-35), enough to take the victory. At polish side guard Michal Michalak ('93) scored 15 with 3/7 behind the arc. On the other game of the group lithuanians and greeks faced eachother looking for a spot in the qualifying round. Both teams arrived to the game with a 0-2 record, with the local crowd believing in their team. Final score? Victory of Lithuania (71-78) with guard Mantas Mockevicius ('93) and forward Tauras Jogela ('93) in a great level with 25+5 and 17+13. Greece say goodbye to the medal dream even the good job of point-guard Apollon Deligeorgis ('93) with 27 points and 4/8 threes. The preliminary round is over, with Russia at the top of the group (3-0), over Poland (2-1), Lithuania (1-2) and Greece (0-3).
At group A Turkey -like Russia- finished with a 3-0 record and a victory over Israel (93-71). Forward Berkay Candan ('93) shined again with 24 points, 14 rebounds and 2 blocks, while at the other side forward Or Solomon ('93) finished as the best scorer of his team: 17 and 7 rebounds. At the other game of the group Montenegro beat Italy (74-80) taking a spot for the qualifying round. Four players of the winners scored more than twelve points: Marko Mugosa ('93), 19, Mihailo Kasalica ('93), 18, Nemanja Gavranic ('93), 17, and Nikola Ivanovic ('94), with 13. With Italia point-guard Diego Mogaldi ('93) scored 18 and dished 5 assists. In the standings Turkey finished first (3-0) over Italy (1-2) and Montenegro (1-2). Israel (1-2), out of the medals fight.
At group C Spain is the team with more chances to arrive far after finishing with a 3-0 record. Squad coached by Diego Ocampo destroyed Czech Republic (60-88) with forward Daniel Diez ('93) collecting 21 points and 6 rebounds in only 22 minutes. At czechs side two kids scored 13 points: Lubos Lachman ('93) and Michal Bernáth ('93). At the other game of the group Croatia crashed Germany (77-40) with guard Matej Buovac ('93) showing many things: 31 points (7/10 threes), 8 rebounds and 5 steals. Young Dario Saric ('94) helped him with 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. No chance for germans, with only one player over six points: center Tim Unterluggauer ('93) with 15 and 9 rebounds. On the standings Spanish finished at the top (3-0), below Croatia (2-1) and Germany (1-2). Czechs, K.O. (0-3).
Finally at group D France is the main outsider after finishing with a 3-0 record with a clear victory against Ukraine (81-40). Guard Hugo Invernizzi ('93) shined one day more with 18 points and 3/5 behind the arc. French forward William Howard ('93) also made a good job: 10 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Forward Mykhaylo Volchanov ('93) finished as the best ukraine scorer with 15 and 7 rebounds. On the other game Latvia beat Serbia (85-75) even the amazing game of Nenad Miljenovic ('93): 25 points, 9 rebounds, 7 steals and 6 assists. Forward Ojars Silins ('93) led the victory: 21 points (5/9 threes) and 4 blocks. On the final standings of this group France finished first (3-0) over Lavia (2-1) and Serbia (1-2). Ukraine (0-3) will fight for the 13th position.
Photo: FIBA Europe / Tomas Tumalovicius
