03.09.2008

Kullamae Powers Estonia Past Portugal

Three straight three-pointers from Gert Kullamae highlighted a stunning comeback as Estonia beat Portugal 79-70 in Ovar in a EuroBasket qualifier on Wednesday night.

The hosts looked to have a decent lead heading into the final quarter, but did not count on the barrage of three-balls from the veteran Kullamae, turning the game on its head as the clock ticked down.

Elvis Evora had 10 points for Portugal

After a tense first half, Portugal finally began to pull away in the third quarter, going 50-42 up as Nuno Marcal completed an old-fashioned three-point play, nailing his jump shot and then heading to the charity stripe after a foul by Janar Talts.

After Mario-Gil Fernandes made three free throws with 1:44 left in the period, the lead was nine at 55-46.

It was 59-53 to the hosts at the end of the third quarter and they stretched the lead to nine when Joao Santos hit a three-pointer.

But then began the Estonia fightback as Tanel Sokk sank a jump shot and the 37-year-old Kullamae followed with a trio of three-pointers that put the visitors ahead 64-62 with 6:30 to go.

Carlos Andrade tied it with a pair of free throws, but Estonia hit back as Sokk scored a jump-shot and Gregor Arbert made two from the charity stripe to put them 68-64 ahead.

Andrade's jump shot cut the lead slightly, but Estonia opened it right back out as Kullamae hit two from the free-throw line and Sokk sank a pair of jump shots to make it 74-66 with 1:41 to go.

There was no way back for Portugal, leaving Spanish coach Moncho Lopez to wonder how victory got away.

Kullamae was the prime reason, finishing with 28 points for Estonia, including five of 10 shooting from three-point range.

Sokk added 20 points and Arbet had 10 for the victors.

Andrade led Portugal with 14 points.

04.09.2008

Quotes Portugal vs. Estonia

Moncho López, Portugal coach:
 
"We started the game nervously as we wanted to have a winning start. In the second period we started to find our game and solutions in offense. In the third quarter we played our best basketball. But in the last quarter the Estonia team had the better answers, especially with the Kullamae shots. Let's forget this game and think about the next one."

Ilar Kerde, Estonia coach:
 
"We knew we were playing against a strong team which has defense as its strongest element. We lost our concentration three times during the game and I don't know how we came back to the game. Today, we had a very important Estonian basketball player, Kullamae, who played really well and gave us the solutions in order to win this important game."