Robin Benzing ('89) shined yesterday in the first competition's day of the qualifying round of the Eurobasket. The power-forward of Germany scored 16 points (5/8 FG and 5/5 FT) against Greece, but not enough to win (76-84). The young german squad battled, with also a good job of the other prospects: Elias Harris ('89) collected 4 points and 5 rebounds, Tibor Pleiss ('89) scored 4 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 9 minutes, Tim Olbrecht ('88) collected 4 points and 2 rebounds, and finally Lucca Staiger ('88) scored 3 points and grabbed 1 rebound. At greek side Kostas Koufos ('89) collected 4 points and 1 rebound and Nick Calathes ('89) didn't score in 8 minutes. These two players are borned in USA.

On another game of the group France beat easy FYROM (83-57), with Nicolas Batum ('88) scoring 13 points and grabbing 5 rebounds and Antoine Diot ('89) also working: 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. On the last game Croatia lost against Russia (62-59). On the standings Greece is first (3-0), below France (3-0), Croatia (1-2), Russia (1-2), Germany (1-2) and FYROM (0-3). The first four will make it to the quarterfinals.

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Harry Zampetoulas