THE National Youth prevailed 86-74 of the elite college group of USA by 86-74 in the St. Thomas indoor gym at Maroussi as part of her preparation for the Eurobasket U20 which will be hosted in Gdynia, Poland.
The game was strong from its early stages with the Hellas to arrive first to a small lead (8-2, 3’10”) and the USA to hit for the first time in the field just before the fourth minute of the match. The Greek team found answers in the athleticism of their opponents, but also in their two tall centers (Bonke and Berg).
The USA found their way through and on second attacks they came close and eventually overtook (15-16, 8′) and did so again in the second period when 20-16 (11’25”) became 20-21 (13’25”). Greece regained the lead with Zougri lead to +5 (28-23, 17’45”) and the first half closes 35-30 with Samoturov hitting the exhalation.
The image of the Greek team improved even more with the return to the court. The shots found the target and Kapetakis was there to give the difference a double-digit value for the first time (43-32, 22′). The United States retaliated again with Freud to be on target from the 6m75 “cut” the difference almost in half (45-38, 24′).
Paraskevopoulos and Konstantinidis came off the bench to contribute in defense and offense for 52-41 (25′). The same scenario was set up again with the visitors getting closer (57-55, 28’40”). THE Zougris from the line and with an impressive nailing made it 61-55 (29?), for Plotas to take the baton and in an equally impressive way to write 63-58 (31′).
Himself together with Paraskevopoulos scored 66-59 (33’15”) from the charity stripe and then assisted Zougris for 68-59 (34’10”) with Greece building a gap again before returning to the line for 70-59 (35′). Karakostas followed for 74-63 (36’30”) and 80-71 (38’20”) with Vassiliou hitting for 86-72 (39’30”) and the match ending with 86- 74.
*Three former teammates of the National Youth Men’s National Team were also present on the field, Bazinas, Noefytos and Laios.
Referees: Ziogas, Teftikis, Levendakos
Ten minutes: 17-15, 35-30, 61-58, 86-74
Greece (Papadopoulos): Karakostas 15, Nikolis, Plotas 15, Kontantinidis 6 (1), Kapetakis 4, Kalliakoudas, Paraskevopoulos 5, Boutouris, Vassiliou 2, Dikoudis 4, Samonturov 14 (1), Kamberidis 2, Ioannou, Zougris 19
Source: Sport Fm
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