18.12.2003

EURAS 76 Khimik 83

		21 points in 24 minutes for Khimik: Olexandr Pashchenko

The match began with a cold shower for the host. Khimik showed the way the game would go and sank two 3-pointers (0-6). After two minutes the team from Odessa already led 3-11.

Slowly EURAS found their way back into the match and even managed to give Khimik an equal challenge. Ekaterinburg was down 17-30 after the first period but won the second 21-16.

 Ukranian center Serhiy Lishchuk dominated the boards on defense and so EURAS were forced to take the outside shot. It worked well for them in the second quarter. they were only behind 38-46 at halftime.

In the second half Khimik put more pressure on EURAS on the defensive end and suddenly the Russians' outside shooting decreased.

A big key for the guests was to hold Oldie Ainars Bagatskis to just 25 points, almost 10 points below his scoring average in the EuropeCup. So EURAS simply failed to score.

For Khimik, Serhiy Lishchuk and Olexandr Pashchenko stepped up and combined for 42 points as they just would't miss. EURAS won the final quarter, but it didn't matter, because Khimik won the game 76-83.

MVP of the game: Ainars Bagatskis (EURAS) with 25 points

 

 

18.12.2003

Quotes EURAS - Khimik

Zvezdan Mitrovic, Head Coach, Khimik:

"It was hard to motivate the team for the match, which didn’t have any importance. But nevertheless we had the right mood."

Dmitry Bazelevsky, Khimik:

"The match against EURAS in Odessa was harder, than this one."

Alexander Zryadchikov, Head Coach, EURAS:

"Khimik is one of the best Ukrainian teams with very tall players. As the game was of no importance, I gave the leaders some rest, letting play young Nikolai Nazarov and newcomer Alexander Bespalov."

Alexey Lobanov, EURAS:

"We were very tired after the game on December 14th and are now preparing for the next game in St. Petersburg.”