Ventspils Too Strong For Kings

Had his best scoring game with 18 points for Ventspils in the EuroChallenge so far: small forward Janis Timma

BK Ventspils made it 13 wins in a row at home as they ended the Last 16 hopes of Sodertalje Kings in Group C of the EuroChallenge.

The Kings had taken control of their destiny by beating the Norrkoping Dolphins last time out, but they could not make it pay as Ventspils wrapped up a perfect 6-0 record in the group.

The Kings briefly threatened an upset, but only briefly.

They jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a three-point play from Kenneth Simms, but Ventspils responded with a 15-2 spurt as a three-point play from Folarin Campbell put them up by six with 2:36 left in the first period.

The Kings kept scrapping and were within touching distance when Toni Bizaca's jump-shot made it 22-21 early in the second period.

But Ventspils then reeled off seven straight and kept rolling to lead 42-26 on a jump-shot from Arturs Berzins 2:50 before half-time.

The lead was 47-33 at the break after the Kings' Dino Pita ended the half with a three.

The Kings started the second half strongly as they cut the gap back to seven, Bizaca following a three-pointer with a jump-shot that made it 47-40 but Ventspils got the message and began to edge away once more before a 9-0 run powered them to a 70-50 lead on Martins Meiers jump-shot at the start of the fourth quarter.

They then shut down the Kings in the fourth quarter, holding them to just six points as they piled on the misery.

Janis Timma scored 18 poins to lead Ventspils while Berzins, Campbell, and Martins Laksa added 12 each and Donald Sims had 10.

Bizaca led the Kings with 19 points and Pita added 11.

Quotes BK Ventspils vs. Södertälje Kings

Sodertalje Kings player Agnis Cavars
"We did not manage to fulfill the plan - what we did in the court was not even close to what the coach said to us. BK Ventspils had a very good percentage from far distance and they dominated in all positions. This was the worst game of the season. We wanted to get into the next round, but it did not come true."

Sodertalje Kings head coach Vedran Bosnic
Unfortunately we did not do anything we talked about before game. We knew that we will play against a high level team which is dominating this group and is much better individually and on all positions on the court. Still, I think we could have made a better effort. We gave up too early. Ventspils was dominating in rebounds and this makes a big difference. Unfortunately we do not go to next round."

Ventspils small forward Janis Timma
"We wanted to end this year without losses and this was what the coach said to us before the game. For the players it was quite hard to play when you know that it is 7:0 and still you have to find some motivation to win one more game. I think we managed to find our motivations tonight and did our job very well."

Ventspils head coach Roberts Stelmahers
"I am happy for the players who found their motivation for this game, they showed that they are professionals. When we go on the court, we do not have to analyse who is our oponent, we have to fight for a win. Of course, we analyse oponents and choose tactics before the game, but the main thing is in the player' s head. I am happy for the team' s result in the group despite the fact that some said that such Scandinavian group will be easy. I know that people can play good basketball everywhere in the world and this was a good fight, especially in the games on the road."

Quotes BK Ventspils vs. Södertälje Kings

Sodertalje Kings player Agnis Cavars
"We did not manage to fulfill the plan - what we did in the court was not even close to what the coach said to us. BK Ventspils had a very good percentage from far distance and they dominated in all positions. This was the worst game of the season. We wanted to get into the next round, but it did not come true."

Sodertalje Kings head coach Vedran Bosnic
Unfortunately we did not do anything we talked about before game. We knew that we will play against a high level team which is dominating this group and is much better individually and on all positions on the court. Still, I think we could have made a better effort. We gave up too early. Ventspils was dominating in rebounds and this makes a big difference. Unfortunately we do not go to next round."

Ventspils small forward Janis Timma
"We wanted to end this year without losses and this was what the coach said to us before the game. For the players it was quite hard to play when you know that it is 7:0 and still you have to find some motivation to win one more game. I think we managed to find our motivations tonight and did our job very well."

Ventspils head coach Roberts Stelmahers
"I am happy for the players who found their motivation for this game, they showed that they are professionals. When we go on the court, we do not have to analyse who is our oponent, we have to fight for a win. Of course, we analyse oponents and choose tactics before the game, but the main thing is in the player' s head. I am happy for the team' s result in the group despite the fact that some said that such Scandinavian group will be easy. I know that people can play good basketball everywhere in the world and this was a good fight, especially in the games on the road."