KD Hopsi Polzela vs. USK Praha
93:91 (18:18, 39:38, 52:53, 75 :75)
Referees: Španic Milan, Gajsek Damijan, Palcic Matic.
Audience: 200.
Venue: Sportna dvorana Polzela.
Scorers KD Hopsi Polzela: Rotar 22, Atanacković 20, Vasilić 18, Burgett 15, Benson 8, Dragan 4, Jack 4, Borse 2.
Scorers USK Praha: Mareš 28, Appleby 15, Sehnal 10, Tuma 10, Vukosavljević 9, Krivanek 6, Petruzela 6, Šterba 3, Samoura 2, Fait 2
Hopsi started game perfect with a 5:0-run. But the guests team answered with nine straight points and took the 9:5-lead. From this moment on, it was an all even affair, with a 18:18 after ten minutes. Praha started the second quarter better with two straight threes (36:31). But Vasilić and Rotar caught fire in second quarter and they scored multiple points. Hopsi took the lead 39:38 at the half.
The charactaristics of the game did not change after the big break. Praha led almost the whole quarter. When Tuma made three pointer the lead increased to 49:43. But Hopsi did not let the guest from Czech republic break away. Vasilić buzzer beater braught polzela back within one point before the final ten minutes of the game (52:53). Prahas import Raheem Appleby couldn’t return because of an injurie, but Prahas young guys managed to stay in the game. When they went up 72:69 after another tripple from Tuma, they seemed to get the victory. But Hopsi fought back again, and Jacks free throw, sent the game into overtime (75:75).
Hopsi took advantage of their bigger routine, and made an 15:8-run in the extra period. But the game was still not decided, as Mareš took care in his own hands and almost tied the game. But Hopsi stayed ice-cold from the line and managed to win the game 93:91.
Kuhar Boštjan, head coach of Hopsi: “Today’s game was full of twists. Praha played quick basketball with lots three pointers. Our shots opened fall in second half. I’m not satisfied because we almost lost the lead in the end, but fortunately we won.”
Tjaž Rotar, player of Hopsi: “Almost every game we play terrible in the first quarter, but today we were able to focus and play the game better. We could have won the game in regular time, instead we went to overtime. But in the end, all that counts is the win and I hope that we keep that rhythm.”
Dino Repeša, head coach of Praha: “I would like to congratulate Hopsi and their coach Kuhar Boštjan for the win. We lost in the end of the game. Our team is young and unexperienced, we lost because of that. But it was nice to play in Polzela.”
FIlip Vukosavljević, player of Praha: “This year we have a young and unexperienced team. I would like to congatulate Hopsi for the win. I belive that our team will grow game by game, espescially with such close ones. And this will help us to have better results in the future.”
