Zalgiris Kaunas won yesterday the first U-18 Euroleague Tournament (NJIT) of the season after beating Benetton Treviso in the final of Rome (Italy). Lithuanians earned the first ticket for the Final Four of the Nike International Junior Tournament that will be held in Paris (France) next April. The other three teams will be the champions of the other three tournaments of this season: Hospitalet (Spain), London and Belgrade. Forward Rolandas Jakstas ('92) was named MVP in Rome after leading his team to the victory (79-55) with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 1 steal in 29 minutes. His teammate Dovydas Redikas ('92) added 15 and 3 rebounds in only 23'. For italians, with their star Alessandro Gentile ('92) injured, croatian Armin Mazic ('93) collected 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

In the game for the final third position FMP Zeleznik -with Nenad Miljenovic ('93) and Nemanja Bezbradica ('93) injured- lost against Stella Azzurra (68-59). Italians had in the guard Bruno Ondo Bengue ('92) its best player, finishing with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block. Latvian Ojars Silins ('93) also helped with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block. With two of the best players injured, serbians were led by forward Stefan Popovski-Turanjanin ('93), with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Montepaschi Siena finished fifth after beating CSKA Moscow (55-47). Guard Diego Monaldi ('93) made a good job (17 points and 3 rebounds, even 2/10 threes) against a team with forward Alexander Tikhonin ('92) scoring 12 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Finally swiss of Benneton Fribourg finished last on standings after losing against Lottomatica Roma (70-74). The great performance of Stefan Petkovic ('92) -28 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists- wasn't enough. Forward Alessandro di Pasquale ('92), the best italian with 16 and 2/3 behind the arc.

 

Final standings: 1-Zalgiris, 2-Treviso, 3-Stella, 4-FMP, 5-Montepaschi, 6-CSKA, 7-Lottomatica and 8-Fribourg.