Dynamo St. Petersburg 87 vs. Iraklis BC SA 75

This evening Iraklis Thessaloniki traveled to Russia to take on the number one team in Group D of the FIBA Europe League, Dynamo St. Petersburg. The game started out fairly balanced, with both sides unwilling to give in.

Dynamo substituted David Bluthenthal into the game in hopes of a spark off the bench, and in return he scored eight straight points. The Russian team's excellent three-point shooting gave them a slight 25-21 lead after the first quarter of play.

The second quarter was similar to that of the first in that neither team was able to gain a definate lead. Despite Dynamo's continued success from behind the arc (50%), they only took a 41-38 lead into the locker room at the half.

Dynamo started off the second half with a seven-point run led by Vladimir Veremeenko, Jon Stefansson, and Kelly McCarty. They maintained a slight advantage throughout the third quarter until the end when Iraklis narrowed the lead to 62-61.

Unfortunately for the Greek team, the one-point margin was as close as they would get this evening. Fueled by a 12-3 run by Stefansson and David Bluthenthal, Dynamo went on to win 87-75 and recorded their sixth win in a row in the FIBA Europe League.

Quotes Dynamo vs. Iraklis BC SA

David Blatt, Head Coach of Dynamo St. Petersburg

“Thanks to Mr. Kakiousis for his good words about my team. It was a good game. I had a task for my players not to allow our opponent to score more than 75 points and I’m pleased that they completed it!”

Leftheris Kakiousis, Head Coach of Iraklis Thessaloniki

“We played against a very strong team. I’m pleased that we were able to remain even with them for three quarters of the game.”