Russia’s undefeated journey continues in Lithuania: 2011 FIBA EuroBasket Report
The Russians have been the team to beat so far in this tournament.
In the 2011 FIBA EuroBasket, where many teams have let their fans down, Russia’s undefeated journey seems to have no end in sight. With every win, the Russian team is getting more confident and are now one of the favourites to clinch this year’s title and a berth in the 2012 Olympics.
Many analysts believe that Russia’s initial opponents were not that challenging but they downed Finland in the very first game and when they took on against Greece, their first elite contenders, in the second round, the resurgent Russians knocked down them 83-67 as well.
The argument then was that Greece is without some of its ace players in the tournament – a notion that Russia’s 30 year old small forward Andrei Kirilenko supported.
“It is sad that teams lose players but that is basketball. Sooner or later Russia will play without Kirilenko and without [Victor] Khryapa. You know when it’s time. Young players come and old players retire. That is life.”
Greece did put up their worst performance in the tournament, but it does deny the fact the Russians forced them to falter. It is true that the Russians have not come face to face with the likes of Spain, France or Lithuania and Kirilenko and company realise that the tournament is far from over and there is still a long way to go in order to win the championship.
“We understand that there are a lot of great teams in European basketball. I would say that there are probably eight or nine teams who on their day can beat anyone and be champions.” Kirilenko said, “All six teams in the other group [Group E] can win this and it does not matter who we meet in the quarterfinals – it’s going to be a tough game.”
That tough game certainly came in the form of Macedonia and it was slight advantage in the second quarter and a rock solid defense that eventually helped the Russians squeak through the quarterfinal unbeaten.
Defence has been of the reasons behind Russia’s success. They have shown a lot a character on the back court and have so far been like a beast on the D.
However, come Thursday September the 15th, in the quarter final stage, they will be up against a team that lives to defend – Serbia.
Serbia has been the power house of European basketball for some time. Although they have struggled to get it going so far in this tournament, but big teams deliver at big stages and the Russians need to be aware.
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