Russia overcome F.Y.R. of Macedonia 72 – 68 to clinch the third spot in 2011 FIBA EuroBasket: Part 1
Russia beat F.Y.R. of Macedonia on the final day of the EuroBasket tournament to clinch third spot. The Russians were the favourites for the game after being an in form team throughout the tournament, but had to work hard for the
win as F.Y.R. of Macedonia gave them a real fight.
In the end though, the tournaments’ break out team just fell short of a podium position and fell to the Russians 72-68.
The Russians were led once again by the terrific Andrei Kirilenko, who has been in superb form throughout the competition. Kirilenko, who was named on the EuroBasket all-star team as well, scored a game high 18 points and also
had 7 rebounds. Helping him out was Sergey Monya, who had 10 points and 8 rebounds.
For Macedonia, Bo McCalebb was the star man. He piled on game high points with 22, and game high steals with 4. Bo also had 3 assists and 4 rebounds. Vlado Ilievski was also impressive with 16 points and 4 rebounds.
Russia Head Coach David Blatt effused about his team after the game. He said he was proud of how the team had performed throughout the tournament. Russia had been beaten just once in the EuroBasket and won 10 games in total. Blatt
said he was content and happy at ending the tournament on a high note.
"I was planning on winning this game. Not because I disrespected F.Y.R of Macedonia, which I respect greatly, not because I was over-confident but because I knew in my heart that the path that we followed in this tournament was
so correct, so true, that only a good result could end this story. My players were so dedicated to the goal. They were happy to be together and play together. I want to thank all my players, who followed me. They have honoured me by winning two medals in the
last three EuroBaskets. We have worked very hard to do it. We have won 10 games and lost just once and that's a fantastic achievement. “
The teams looked to be evenly matched at the start of the game but slowly the Russians started to establish a lead. With 2:50 remaining in the quarter Russia had a 7 point lead but the Macedonians cut it down to half by the end
of the period.
The teams entered the second quarter at 17 – 13 with Russia ahead, but Macedonia came back strongly into the game. Russia used a 5 – 2 run at the start to get a 7 point lead with 8:15 left on the clock.
Macedonia responded with a 6 – 0 sprint.
After some more back and forth action, the Russians maintained their advantage and pulled away at the end to finish the first half at 36 – 30.
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