At the beginning of the second quarter, Tornike Shengelia scored two points and penalty. Georgian national basketball team advanced 28:17 against Slovenians. At that moment, Georgians were close to the most important victory though sensation did not happen – thanks to mistakes of Georgians and perfect playing on perimeter, Slovenia celebrated the third victory in the group – 87:75.
It turned out that Georgian team beat Slovenians only in the first quarter. Mistakes of Georgian basketball players had influence on the score. Statistics of the match show the events well.
Georgian team lost the ball 21 times (!). After that, Slovenians scored 31 points. Georgians scored only 3 points. The boys of Kokoskov could not score point in fast attack but they beat opponent in 3 second zone – 28:16 and in rebounds 38:29. Perhaps, this could have been enough for success but another statistics.
Playing on perimeter turned out decisive. Jaka Lakovic and his teammates shot 35 3 points. They scored only 15 of them. When opponent scores 45 points from perimeter, it is difficult to think about winning the match.
In fact, the players of Božidar Maljković won the match so that they did not need to “rush” under the basket. Slovenians found weak point of Georgians after the first quarter and did their best. Back line of Georgians did everything, especially Lasha Gamkrelidze. Lasha scored the most important three points and the third quarter ended up 58:59. Unfortunately, the last 10 minutes were not good for Georgians.
We mentioned the back line of Georgians and let us say one thing. Everyone knew that this line should have been strengthened. Yet, I do not think that anyone is satisfied with playing of Marquez Haynes. Kokoskov gave him only 10 minutes for playing.
Zaza Pachulia scored the most points from Georgians. Unlike the match against Russia, captain did his best and scored 22 points within 31 minutes. Zaza and Slovenian Jaka Lakovic became top scorers of the match. Traditionally, Manuchar Markoishvili (16 points) played well. Viktor Sanikidze could not score 10 points.
Georgian national basketball team lost two matches from three though the team is close to the main goal. The players of Kokoskov must win two matches for going through the second round. Today, they will play against Ukraine. After losing to Russia and Slovenia, the team of Mike Fratello won over Bulgaria 67:56 and has chance of going through the next round. Russians beat Belgium 79:58 and are sharing the first-second places with Slovenia.
EuroBasket 2011. Group D. “Klaipeda Arena” (Klaipeda, Lithuania). 3500 spectators
Slovenia – Georgia 87:75 (15:25, 25:15, 19:18, 28:17)
Slovenia: Lakovič (31 min. 22 p. 4 a.), Smodiš (3 p.), Murić (5 p.), Z. Dragić (29 min. 21 p. 4 reb. 4 s.), Udrih (3 min.), G. Dragić (28 min. 2 p. 3 reb. 5 a.), Jagodnik (13 min. 10 p. 4 reb.), Lorbek (29 min. 12 p. 6 reb. 3 a.).
Head coach: Božidar Maljković.
Georgia: V. Boisa (19 min. 3 p. 5 reb.), Pachulia (31 min. 22 p.), Tsintsadze (23 min. 5 p. 6 reb. 6 a.), Markoishvili (30 min. 16 p.), Sanikidze (33 min. 10 p. 3 reb.); Gamkrelidze (17 min. 6 p.), Shermadini (9 min. 3 reb.), Haynes (10 min. 6 p.), Shengelia (18 min. 6 p. 7 reb. 3 a.), Tskitishvili (10 min. 1 p.).
Head coach: Igor Kokoskov.
Referees: Arteaga (Spain), Shemesh (Israel), Krauze (Germany).
Commissar: Pilipauskas (Lithuania).
11/30 (36.7%)two points 21/37 (56.8%)
15/35 (36.8%) three points 7/16 (43.8%)
20/24 (83.3%) penalty 12/20 (60.0.%)
29 (15 inattack) rebound 38 (13 inattack)
19 assist 14
8 mistake 21
10steal 4
1 cover 3
24 personal foul 27
31 gained point after the mistake of opponent 3
16 gained point from 3 second zone 28
17 gained point in so-called second attack 15
5 gained point after fast breakthrough 0
12 big advantage 13
10:0 (54:45) the biggest “run” 7:0 (13:19)
leader was substituted: 9 times
Score was draw: 7 times
Ukraine– Bulgaria 67:56 (16:14, 18:11, 19:13, 14:18)
Russia– Belgium 79:58 (21:16, 16:16, 20:16, 22:10)
1. Russia 3 3 0 217:180 6
2. Slovenia3 3 0 222:198 6
3. Georgia 3 1 2 214:211 4
4. Ukraine 3 1 2 195:197 4
5. Bulgaria3 1 2 183:199 4
6. Belgium 3 0 3 182:228 3
September 4
16:30 Georgia- Ukraine
19:00 Bulgaria- Russia
22:00 Belgium- Slovenia
After the match
Viktor Sanikidze: “We did our best but the opponent won the match. Georgian national basketball team is playing at EuroBasket for the first time and we do not have experience. That is why we made so many mistakes. After losing the balls, Slovenians scored 31 points. It is too many. We were 13 points ahead and we had to keep this advantage. Unfortunately, Slovenians scored many 3 points. The most important matches are ahead. If we beat Ukraine and Bulgaria, we will go through the next round”.
Igor Kokoskov: “I agree with Viktor. Our mistakes were reason of the loss and the opponent used it. When you lose the ball so many times, you give advantage to opponent, especially when you play against such team as Slovenia”.
Jaka Lakovič: “We started playing without defense and that is why we were losing with 13 points. Of course, good playing on perimeter has worked. Three points helped us in victory”.
Goran Dragić: “I played against Georgian national basketball team for the first time and I can only praise them. If not our mobilization, Georgians would have won this match. In spite of loss, Georgian team has chance of going through the next round”.
Božidar Maljković: “I was not satisfied with the first quarter. I was not satisfied with the second quarter too but the most important is that we won the match. We played well in attack and we must work on defense”.
Dato Manjavidze from Klaipeda
