The cadet national basketball team of B&H qualified for the finals of the Eurobasket in Lithuania after they defeated selection of Spain with the result 86:78, after the overtime.
The match was quite uncertain, and the match turned into a draw in the 4th quarter of. During the last period the game was tied, even though the Spaniards came to the finish leading by 3 points. In a crucial moment, Sani Čampara scored three-point shot and took the match in the overtime.
The first quarter of the match was dominated by our team. Our players, led by the excellent Musa and Sikiraš, played excellent basketball and went to the first break leading by seven points, 19:12.
As much as our team dominated in the first quarter, that much the selection of the Spain was better in the second one. B&H defense failed, and the Spaniards reached 20 points versus our 12, which made them went to a break with the lead of one point.
The third quarter offered a tied game and the slight advantage of our team. On the end, we were better for one point, so we welcomed the final quarter with a draw, 47:47.
In the last quarter the game was played almost point for point as well. Spaniards got to the finish leading by three points, but the great Sani Čampara hit three-point shot and took the match in the overtime.
With the score by Musa Džanan our team took the lead in overtime with the score 66:65, but then the Spaniards returned with three-point shot for plus 2. With the score 70:67 for Spain, our team well-defended the attack of the opponents, and Sikiraš scored the point with additional throwing. With his 18th hoop from free throw line, Sikiraš made the score tie at 70:70. Then, our defense made a good save to stop another attack, and in the upcoming attack Sikiraš hit three-point shot for the second lead of B&H team in overtime, 73:70. In the next attack, Carasco hit three points tying the score again at 73:73. Our players tried the attack for the victory, but we didn’t managed to score in two attempts. Then followed another overtime.
In the first attack in the 2nd overtime, Sani Čampara hit shot for two points, and then the additional free throw for plus three for our team. Spaniards made it tie in the next attack to 76:76, and right after that Čampara hit the three-point shot and took us to 79:76. Another good defense of BH team followed, and Musa hit from the free throw line for 80:76. In the next attack, Musa shot for three points and probably victory, but the ball unfortunately fell out of the basket. The Spaniards then hit for two points and lowered the score to 80:78. Then Musa hit for 82:78. We successfully defended two following attacks of Spain and Sikiraš scored for unachievable 84:78. The match ended 86:78 for our team.
B&H team will play against the host Lithuania in the finals.
U16 European Championship, semi-finals:
B&H – Spain 86:78 (after overtime)
(Source: klix.ba)
