Pierre Oriola ('92) finished as the most valuable player of all the games of the U-18 Albert Schweitzer tournament yesterday in Mannheim. The power-forward from Suzuki Manresa (arrived there last summer) finished with a 27 valoration leading the unbeaten Spain to a close victory over Australia (66-61): 19 points (8/9 twos and 3/3 ft), 9 rebounds and 1 block in 20 minutes. Albert Ventura ('92), from DKV Joventut, also shined with 17 points with 3/6 behind the arc. Spain finished the first round unbeaten (3-0), at the top of group D.
Croatia and France played an interesting game also. Croatians made a crazy third quarter (27-7), with its fav-four playing in a great level, to beat french squad (70-62). Youngster Dario Saric ('94) -number 1 of his age in Eurohopes- nailed 16 points, with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, while their best scorer was power-forward Boris Barac ('92) with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Roko Rogic ('92) added 15 with 3/6 threes and Marko Ramljak ('93), 6 and 2 rebounds. For french people Evan Fournier ('92) struggled after scoring 31 and 28 in first two games. Yesterday he nailed 12 (5/11 FG), including an amazing dunk over two defenders. Guard Mathis Keita ('92) showed good things: 14 with 3/4 threes.
German U-18 remains unbeaten also (3-0) after winning Turkey in a full gym, with many turkish fans (69-62). Reds played a hard defense over Phillip Neumann ('92) -at half time he only scored from free throws line- but it wasn't enough. Turkey gave the game to small players Safak Edge ('92) and Can Korkmaz ('92), but didn't work: 12/37 FG between both. Neumann finished as the best scorer of the winners with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 1 block. Lars Wendt ('92) and Bill Borekambi ('92) made also a good job: 13 points with 2/5 threes and 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The german youngsters (U-17), who are preparing the World Championship of this July in Hamburg, are also showing a good level, with three victories in three games. Yesterday they beat Italy (70-67) due to a great performance of guard Jakob Krumbeck ('93) with 24 points and 4/5 threes. For italians, the guards finished as the best scorers: Andrea Traini ('92), 20 with 3/5 threes, Nunzio Sabattino ('92), 14 and 3 assists, and Marco Ceron ('92), 12 and 5 rebounds. Interesting skills shown by power-forward Simone Zanotti ('92), even he only nailed 9 points grabbing 7 boards. We cannot forget huge Bogdan Radosavljevic ('93). The 2.10 german center impressed with his physical conditions: 6 points and 3 rebounds.
Finally in the game between two teams with no victories Greece beat Israel (55-62). Lynos Chrysikopoulos ('92), from Aris, played in all positions: 18 points and 14 rebounds even 5/13 FG. The talented forward (or guard) seemed to play at 50%, looking many times for the pass and the assist than taking easy shots, being unselfish. For israelians guard Bar Timor ('92) nailed 13, even 3/11 FG.
In the other games between non-european teams USA beat Argentina (61-53), Brazil won Japan (78-84) and China crashed New Zealand (89-50).
Standings
Group A: German U-17 (3-0), Italy (2-1), China (1-2) and New Zealand (0-3).
Group B: German U-18 (3-0), Turkey (2-1), Brazil (1-2) and Japan (0-3).
Group C: Croatia (2-1), USA (2-1), France (2-1) and Argentina (0-3).
Group D: Spain (3-0), Australia (2-1), Greece (1-2) and Israel (0-3).
The two best teams of each group have qualifyied for next round. Today, day off.
Photo: Bàsquet Manresa
