Three teams remain unbeaten after two days in the 14 Slovenia Ball, held in Slovenj Gradec (Slovenia). With Eurohopes staff updating info of the event on live yesterday we saw great individual performances. The best scorer of the second journey? 5'9'' guard Marko Matijevic ('97), from SD Primorac Maribor, led Slovenia Green to the easy win with 23 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. But let's check what happened in all the games. Spain, Slovenia Blue and Croatia are currently the best with a 3-0 record.
-Macedonia 57 Croatia 87: After a tied first half, in the third quarter the good job of 5'11'' lefty shooter Julijan Zadravec ('97) became the key, finishing with 16 points, 2 steals and 1 rebound. In the most important moment of the contest, and in only 6 minutes, he scored 12 points (3/3 twos and 2/2 threes), helped by Dragan Bender ('97) inside the paint. The 6'6'' center ended with 6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. 5'9'' guard Petar Dubelj ('97) added 11 points, 2 assists and 1 steal. At the other side recently Olimpija Ljubljana addition Oliver Dvojanovski ('97) fought againt the big croatians with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block. Beside him 6'4'' Pavle Vilev ('97) had 10 points, 4 boards and 1 block, while 5'10'' guard David Pecalevski ('97) added 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.
-Slovenia Blue 66 Estonia 53: Slovenians added another win, in this case in a tough game against a team that fought led by 5'1'' PG Norman Kabin ('97), who made his teammates play better ending with 16 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. During all the contest Slovenia Blue had advantages around 7-8 points, with Estonia trying to come back. But they couldn't. Beside Kabin also shined 5'11'' forward Martin Ütsmüts ('97), with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist, and 5'9'' forward Sander Viilup ('97): 10 points, 6 boards and 3 assists. At the winning effort 6'6'' center Urban Durnik ('97) was unstoppable in the paint, helping his team with a double-double (12 points and 13 rebounds). 5'10'' guard Nejc Baric ('97) showed his skills doing many things (steals, shots, penetrations): 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Finally 5'10'' guard Nejc Martincic ('97) added 13 points and 1 board.
-Slovenia Green 96 Macedonia 69: We saw one of the best individual performances of the journey in this game, with Matijevic ending as the best scorer of the day. The guard made a good job on offense, breaking the game in the last quarter. The slovenian deeper bench became decisive in the contest. Youngster Nenad Dimitrijevic ('98) surprised again with his ability, creating for the teammates and himself also. The 5'5'' guard scored 17 points, pulled down 4 rebounds and made 3 steals. But they lost. His teammate Dvojakovski shined again with 12 points, 7 boards and 1 block, while 6'1'' forward Kristjan Nedelkowski ('97) added 15 points and 6 boards. At the winning effort 6'4'' power-forward Uros Vezovnik ('97) collected a double-double (12 points and 10 boards) and 5'9'' guard Zan Mark Sisko ('97) made many things: 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
-Croatia 78 Montenegro 73: Till then, the best game of the event, with many intriguing prospects showing their ability and skills. And tied also. In the third and fourth quarters Zadravec appeared again giving character to his teammates. The lefty guard finished with 18 points and 6 boards. Bender damaged montenegrins inside the paint again with 14 points and 7 rebounds, while 6'8'' Matej Gaspert ('97) added 7 points and 5 boards. At the losing effort two 1998 born players (Ognjen Carapic and Gavrilo Vujacic) help in a team without tall players. Best scorers at Montenegro? Vujacic with 17 points and 7 rebounds, Dejan Posuka ('97) with 12 points and 3 rebounds and Savo Milacic ('97) with 6 points, 7 boards and 1 assist.
-Spain 96 Estonia 40: The physical and technical skills of spaniards killed estonians. Much difference in the score, with spanish coach making rotations and showing that 6'8'' forward Jonathan Barreiro ('97) can play at the PG. Albert Real ('97), from Joventut Badalona, collected a double-double (18 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals), while Barreiro added 18 points and 7 rebounds and Santiago Yusta ('97) 13 and 9 boards. At the losing effort 6'2'' Robert Valge ('97) had 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, Ütsmüts showed against his intensity and quality with 4 points, 6 boards and 2 assists and finally Taavi Jurkatamm ('97) scored 2 points, dished 4 assists and grabbed 1 rebound.
-Montenegro 56 Slovenia Green 68: Finally in the last contest of this second day slovenians added their second victory against a team that played only two hours after a very tough game against Croatia (losing by 5), and showing their fatigue. 6'3'' Tjaz Hadalin ('97), a very strong power-forward, led the victory with a good job inside the paint (13 points and 9 rebounds), helped by shooter Matijevic (3/3 behind the arc) and 6'2'' Tadej Tabak ('97), who finished with a complete contest: 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. At montenegrin squad 6'4'' Gordan Glomazic ('97) had 18 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, winning the position in the pain very well. 6'4'' Todor Radonjic ('97) ended with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and Posuka added 6 points and 4 boards.
Standings: Spain (3-0) and Slovenia Blue (3-0), Croatia (3-0), Montenegro (1-3), Slovenia Green (2-1), Macedonia (0-4) and Estonia (0-4).
Photo: Eurohopes
