Levice is only one game away from making it to there second consecutive final of Alpe Adria Cup. They overcame Skrljevo 82:76, but with a difference of just sic points, everything is possible in next weeks re-match.
BK Patrioti Levice vs. BC Adria Oil Skrljevo
82:76 (24:19, 42:39, 68:56)
Referees: Tomašovič, Margala, Doušek (all SVK).
Audience: 800.
Venue: Športová hala, Levice (SVK).
Scorers BK Patrioti Levice: Gačeša 22, Pita 20, Davis 12, Bojanovský 8, Bachan 6, Council 6, Žiak 4, Jeftič 2, Krajčovič 2.
Scorers KK Skrljevo: Krstanovič 16, Williams 16, Štemberger 10, Uljarevič 10, Ušič 9, Lebo 7.
Gallery & Statistics
First quarter was about scoring streaks on both ends. Škrljevo opened the game better, quickly they got into 7:2 lead. But the Levice answered, 14:0 run got the into 22:9 lead. Both teams did not defend well, Škrljevo again got into the rhythm, but home team won first quarter 24:19. Second period was much more equal and tougher. Key man for home team was Nikola Gačeša, visitors were shooting well for 3 points. After 20 minutes Levice was leading 42:39.
Škrljevo started the second half much better, they got quickly into small lead. But then Dino Pita and Nikola Gačeša were on fire, the result was another double-digit lead for Patrioti. Before the last ten minutes it was 68:56 for Slovak team. Last quarter was pretty dramatic, Škrljevo again made some tough shots and with hard defense they almost made a perfect comeback. In one moment it was about one ball (73:72), but then Vincent Council step up. He took responsibility and directed his team to the win. Levice was first semifinals match over Škrljevo 82:76.
Teo Hojč, head coach of Levice: “As expected, this was a tough match against good team. For us it was important to win. I hope that this will give us selfconfidence, that we can win also with new starting five. Again we had injuries, Dwayne Benjamin was missing. Good moment was comeback of Nikola Gačeša. I hope he will be back in shape soon. It’s a shame, that we did not win by bigger point deficit. We won by six points, we will try to defend this advantage.”
Nikola Gačeša, player of Levice: “I am happy with the win, but we need to work on some things.”
Damir Rajkovič, head coach of Skrljevo: “Tough match, we were missing two players from starting five, so our rotation was smaller. We knew, that Levice has a good team, they won the Slovakian Cup. It was sure, that it will not be easy. In some moments, we had the game under control, we were leading. But then we stopped playing our basketball, we started to be selfish. Congratulations Levice to the win, but the next game is wide open.”
Siniša Štemberger, player of Skrljevo: “We started good, but Levice has a good team and they are well coached. His work is visible in the games. We are now playing probably the best basketball in the season after some problems. I think, the next game will be very good.”
