FMP Zeleznik started strong its participation in the third Euroleague's NIJT of the season, held in Belgrade. Serbians added two huge victories over Buducnost (64-93) and ASVEL (99-67), with its great group of prospects shining. Against montenegrin squad FMP made a great job inside: Nemanja Bezbradica ('93) -at the pic- collected 17 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Nikola Siladi ('92) nailed 14 points, pulled down 9 rebounds and dished 3 assists. But that wasn't all. Star Nenad Miljenovic ('93) scored 18 points (8/12 FG) and youngster Nikola Jankovic ('94) -MVP of last U-16 Turk Telekom Tournament- added 12 points and 7 rebounds in 16 minutes. Buducnost couldn't battle against this skilled group or prospects, with guard Marko Mugosa ('93) finishing with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
In the second battle FMP didn't have problems either to beat french of ASVEL Villeurbanne by more than 30 points. In this case forward Nikola Pavlovic ('93) finished as the best ranked serbian with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes. His teammate Stefan Popovski-Turanjanin ('93) added 20 points and 4/5 threes in only 12 minutes (!!!) and Miljenovic helped with a complete game: 12 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. For french squad Lambert Diacono ('92) collected 18 and 3 rebounds.
Another team that started strong was INSEP, from France, after beating Hemofarm (100-96) and Brose Baskets (44-83). Against serbians, in a close game, they won after recovering the 42-57 of half time. Forward Nemanja Knezevic ('92) put them on problems (29 with 9/16 FG), helped by Luka Mitrovic ('93), with 19 and 7/8 twos, but that wasn't enough. Winners were led by 6 players with double figures. Guard Mathis Keita ('92) nailed 21 points, dished 6 assists and grabbed 5 boards, while Ulysse Adjagba ('93) finished with 15 and 3 steals.
In the other game they won over germans with an easy victory (+39). Was the turn of William Howard ('93), who led INSEP with a complete performance: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Scorer Hugo Invernizzi ('93) added 12 with 2/3 behind the arc for french squad. At german side Philipp Neumann ('92) showed his skills once more: 19 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal.
The third and last team unbeaten after first day is Partizan, with victories over Brose (83-71) and Hemofarm (62-71). Against germans they had trouble with Neumann (29+8), but they finally won with six players with double figures. Vukasin Vujovic ('93) collected 18 points and 7 rebounds and youngster Nikola Radicevic ('94), 13 with 3/4 threes. 2.20 center Nemanja Besovic ('92) nailed 11 points and 7 rebounds.
In the other game they beat Hemofarm with guard Aleksandar Radenkovic ('92) collecting 15 points and 4 assists and 2.09 center Nikola Vujovic ('93) adding 12 and 5 rebounds. For Vrsac squad Knezevic and Mitrovic scored 15 points each.
Finally the last two games where losses of Red Star, against ASVEL (80-76) and Buducnost (75-81). French won with guard Gide Noel ('93) scoring 18 points in 23 minutes coming from the bench and Diacono adding 17 and 6 rebounds. For Belgrade team Jovan Djordjevic ('93) was the best with 19 and 9 rebounds.
Against montenegrin team the best serbian was Ognjen Filipovic ('93) with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Buducnost was led by Mugosa (22 even 3/11 threes and 6 turnovers).
Standings
Group A: FMP (2-0), Buducnost (1-1), ASVEL (1-1) and Red Star (0-2).
Group B: INSEP (2-0), Partizan (2-0), Hemofarm (0-2) and Brose (0-2).
Photo: www.jct-fmp.com
