25.03.2010

Krasnye Krylia Edge Zagreb, Reach Final Four

A typically sparkling 35 point performance by the prolific Luis Flores sparked celebrations in Samara as Krasnye Krylia become the first team to make it to the 2010 EuroChallenge Final Four.

The hosts followed up their narrow victory in Croatia with an even tighter 79-78 home floor success over KK Zagreb although could have easily found themselves in a series decider but the otherwise impressive Luka Zoric failed to convert for the visitors with the last shot.

Having already harvested 18 points and 14 rebounds, Zoric looked a likely candidate to pick up a memorable victory for his team but it wasn't to be and the Russian side prevailed in one of the most hard fought games of the tournament.

Zagreb started slowly and found themselves trailing by double-digits at 17-6 but they worked hard to get themselves back into the contest and veteran Nikola Prkacin levelled the scores late in the second quarter at 41-41.

During the third quarter it looked like Zagreb might struggle and especially when Flores buried a triple to put his side 51-43 ahead. However the visitors found some rhythm and finished the quarter with a 19-10 run to head into the last ten minutes 62-61 in front.

When Damir Mulaomerovic drained a big triple with 53 seconds left it looked like Zagreb's game but the momentum swung back to the home team as who else, but Flores came up with a big offensive rebound and score with 16 seconds left before the fatal miss of Zoric.

Marcus Douthit weighed in with 16 points for the victors to support Flores who also had 8 rebounds while Mulaomerovic top scored for Zagreb with 20.

 

25.03.2010

Quotes Krasnye Krylia vs. KK Zagreb

Denis Bajramović, KK Zagreb coach:
"Of course I'm disappointed! We came here to win, and for the entire game we tried not to let our opponent grab the initiative, but in the end they turned out to be more lucky. I'm full of emotions, that's why I've got nothing else to say, sorry."

Vladimir Krstic, KK Zagreb player :
"It was a very important game. We concentrated as much as we could, but Krylia were playing at home and luck was on their side."

Mikhail Mikhaylov, Krasnye Krylia coach:
"Congratulations to the team and our supporters for this victory. We are in the Final Four. It was an extremely difficult game for us. KK Zagreb used zone defense for most of the game, and our three-pointers just wouldn't go in. But we won! The team has got a lot of confidence."

Luis Flores, Krasnye Krylia player:
"We knew beforehand that this game won't be an easy one. We worked hard, especially in the end, following the coach's instructions - and we're going to the Final Four!"