Hemofarm Stada became yesterday the new U-18 Serbian champion after winning the Final Eight tournament, held in Vrsac (Serbia). Team coached by Zarko Vucurovic, awarded with the Best Coach's trophy in the event, beat Red Star in the big final (87-73). At the losing effort their rising-star Aleksandar Cvetkovic ('93) couldn't play due to an injury. Eventhough the guard was selected in the All-Tournament team with Sasa Avramovic ('93, Mladost), Nemanja Krstic ('93, Hemofarm), Luka Mitrovic ('93, Hemofarm) and Ivan Marinkovic ('93, Red Star). Avramovic led Mladost to a the third final position with crazy stats, earning the MVP award: 32.0 points (64% twos), 8 boards and 4.7 assists.

 

In the big game of the journey Belgrade squad battled even the absence of Cvetkovic, but wasn't enough. Four local prospects scored in double-figures. Djordje Milosevic ('93) had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, Nemanja Dangubic ('93) added 13 points (6/11 FG) and 8 rebounds, while youngster Jovan Novak ('94). Mitrovic ('93), their leader, only played 16 minutes (10 points, 13 rebounds and 1 assist) and also All-Tournament Team Krstic had 9 points (4/6 FG) in 18'. Who shined in the losing effort? Lefty forward Ivan Saicic ('93) nailed 26 points (11/24 FG), with 5 boards and 2 assists, while Marinkovic ('93) added a double-double (19+12). Four Red Star pieces played more than 33 minutes. 

 

In the game for the final 3rd position Mladost beat Mega Vizura (96-85) in a huge offensive contest. MVP Avramovic led the victory with a 52 index: 40 points (15/25 FG), 11 rebounds and 7 assists. He was helped by youngster Milos Jankovic ('94), with 16 points (7/11 FG), and Lazar Markovic ('93), with 19 and 2 assists. But at the other side another prospect collected more than a 50 index, but in this case wasn't enough. Andrija Bojic ('93) had 39 points (14/19 FG) and 11 boards for a 54 index. Really tied contest, decided in the last quarter with a 31-20 run.

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Robertas Dackus