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We can’t describe it differently... What was offered to us in first match of basketball players GOOD ANGELS in Play-Offs on the court of UMMC Yekaterinburg. Our current champion really troubled opposing Russian one – with a team full of basketball stars played our girls more than just an even match, but at the end our girls had to bow to the Russian champion.
UMMC Yekaterinburg (Rus.) – GOOD ANGELS Košice 61:55 (20:10, 11:16, 11:15, 19:14) - stav série 1:0 (played on two winning games)
Yekaterinburg: Bird 23 (5 three pointers), Artešina 9, Nolan 6, Leučanka 5, Gruda 1 (Parker 6, Vidmer 5, Linkevičiené 3, Doron 2, Horáková 1). Coach: Algirdas Paulauskas.
Good Angels: McCray 17, Vieru 16, Bojovič 10 (10 assists), Lawless 8, Kupčíková 0 (Sverrisdóttir 3, Jurčenková 1, Čarnoká and Pedersen 0). Coach: Štefan Svitek.
TH: 13/24 – 4/8, 3-point field-goals: 8/19 – 7/16, fouls: 15 – 23, 5 fouls: 40. min. Kupčíková (Good Angels), referees: Jasmina Juras (Serb.), Anna Cardus (Esp.), Fabiana Nitu (Rom.), 5135 spectators.
"We played a perfect game. Girls fulfilled decided instructions brilliantly, what was reflected mainly in defense, where we played on the edge of our possibilities," opened the match analysis head coach of Good Angels Štefan Svitek. His players couldn’t shake off nervousness at the beginning, so they got tied hands in scoring attempts.
"It’s a pity that we were so scared in the first minutes, that allowed Yekaterinburg to raise the score difference on 10 points," stated general manager of Košice basketball players Daniel Jendrichovský. "Subsequently, our girls had shown their true character, they bravely fight with opponent and also with own nervousness and until half break they were able to reduce the points difference from first quarter to half."
After the half break Yekaterinburg scored 6 quick points. In next 6 minutes our players allowed their opponent to score just 2 points from free throws and this period of game Good Angels won 11:2. Nearly half minute before the final "buzzer" of third quarter "six-pointer" scored by Anna Jurčenková send Good Angels third time in the match to the lead, but parting shot belonged to home Sue Bird.
American guard of UMMC played a key role in the last quarter and she scoring 10 points in fourth quarter were from the final view decisive. Good Angels didn’t give up until the final seconds, but hosts we more successful and made use of their experience in the tactically played victorious finish.
Head coach of Good Angels Košice Štefan Svitek: "It was a match worth for Play-Offs. I have to praise my team for great fighting spirit and courage. Girls weren’t scared of opponent with great name, also they were able to deal with great atmosphere of Play-Off duel. If we can repeat such a performance in Infiniti Aréna, I am convinced that we will be back in Yekaterinburg once more."
Daniel Jendrichovský, general manager Good Angels Košice: "Our team desire profound bow. We knew, that it is not possible for us to play open match with such an opponent as Yekaterinburg, because hosts have many good players with scoring potential. In defense we played "our game", but in crucial moments home team confirmed its quality, what decided the match in the final stage."