04.12.2003

CUS CariChieti 57 UMMC Ekaterinburg 93

		Game MVP De Lisha Milton (UMMC)

At last, normal service has been resumed. Even if Ekaterinburg did not play a sensational game they gained an easy victory over CariChieti. Ekaterinburg also welcomed back US star Yolanda Griffith who made her EuroLeague Women debut this season.

The game started immediately with a 6-0 run in favour of the Russian team. CariChieti managed to score the first basket after 3 minutes into the match.

Chieti even held UMMC scoreless for nearly 5 minutes and tied the game 6-6 in the 5th minute. But Ekaterinburg soon got their lead back and won the quarter 16-26.

The advantage of the Russian team increased from the first minutes of the second quarter. Chieti again found no way to the basket and were scoreless for 3 minutes.

The Italians tried to fight back, but even though Ekaterinburg were not playing up to their high standards, the home team never had a chance to take advantage of UMMC´s turnovers. CariChieti never managed to come closer than 10 points and even trailed by 18 at the half (27-45).

In the third quarter the Russians just kept their supremacy up. Ekaterinburg now needed no great efforts and took the easiest way to the victory. After the third quarter the game was finally decided as UMMC increased their lead to 20 points (46-66).

In the 4th quarter CariChieti coach Claudio Agresti gave all of his players time on the court. So Ekaterinburg managed to blow-out the home team 57-93.

04.12.2003

Quotes CariChieti - Ekaterinburg

Claudio Agresti, Head Coach, CariChieti:

"Ekaterinburg is a much stronger team than CariChieti. It is not a mere chance that they are the European Champions. The final score is not correct, as we kept a distance of no more than 20 points throughout the entire game. This was not the match to win for us."

Ilisaine David, CariChieti:

"We did not play a bad game, we always tried to keep the match open, even if their advantage was about 20 points. We knew it would be tough, but the most important thing was to give a good impression."

Zoran Visic, Head Coach, UMMC Ekaterinburg:

"This was one of the first times we played with the full roster. We have to keep on playing in this way. It is a long competition, we have look at match after match."

De Lisha Milton, UMMC Ekaterinburg:

"Tonight I played well, because I played my favourite position."