Germany beat France (49-48) and Italy defeat Spain (64-72) in the U-18 Vilagarcia Cup opener, held in the spanish town from today till Saturday. Team coached by Kay Blümel started well even the absences of Besnik Bekteshi ('93), Bogdan Radosavljevic ('93), Julius Wolf ('93) and Malik Müller ('93) against a squad with many pieces of INSEP team that won last edition of the Euroleague NIJT. Not bad. Johannes Richter ('93), the best of the winners. In the other contest hosts shocked surprisingly against Amedeo Della Valle ('93), the MVP of this first day with a 24 valoration.
-Germany 49 France 48: In a very tied game germans beat France in the opener behind a good performance of Richter. The 2.03 power-forward from Breitenguessbach collected a double-double with 12 points (6/12 FG), 10 rebounds and 1 steal. Inside the paint also made a good job Paul Albrecht ('93) with 11 points, 5 boards and 2 steals. Guard Jakub Krumbeck ('93), one of the leaders of this generation, struggled with a -9 valoration (0/4 FG and 3 TO). At the losing effort INSEP guard Hugo Invernizzi ('93) ended as the best scorer with 15 points (even 2/10 from downtown), adding 6 rebounds and 2 steals. Power-forward Livio Jean-Charles ('93), the MVP of last Euroleague NIJT, had 9 points and 6 boards in 30 minutes.
-Spain 64 Italy 72: Della Valle and Amedeo Tessitori ('94) -at the pic- led the italian win over spaniards after collecting a 47 valoration. The 1.94 guard of Monferrato scored 22 points (10/19 FG), adding 9 boards (8 in offense), while the 2.01 power-forward collected a double-double: 16 points, 13 rebounds and 4 steals. 2.10 Francesco Candussi ('94), one of the best european prospects of his generation, also sent good details with 8 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes. Great result of team coached by Stefano Bizzozi against a group with three important absences: Albert Homs ('94), Jorge Sanz ('93) and Jaime Fernández ('93). All three practice with their ACB teams. In today's game Álex Abrines ('93) scored 13 points (3/6 threes) in his debut with the NT. Beside him guard Guillem Vives ('93) added 11 with 6 boards and 2 steals and youngster "Willy" Hernangómez ('94) 11 with 8 rebounds a 1 block.
Standings: Italy and Germany (1-0), France and Spain (0-1).
Photo: FIBA Europe / Nebojsa Parausic
