BC Adriaoil Škrljevo won their first appearance at Alpe Adria Cup. They started their Group C action with a 78:74 victory against Egoé Basket Brno.
BC Adriaoil Skrljevo vs. Egoé Bakset Brno
78:74 (24:28, 35:47, 58:63)
Referees: Stankovic, Zagar, Miletic (all CRO).
Audience: 250.
Venue: Sport hall Mavrinci.
Scorers Skrljevo: Yacoubou 22, Barnjak 19, Krajina 9, Krstanovic 8, Sarac 8, Williams 6, Kucan 4, Usic 2.
Scorers Brno: Keely 22, Roby 14, Stegbauer 12, Geiger 11, Farsky 9, Kozina 3, Nehyba 2, Jokl 1.
The first quarter was opened very good for guests, Brno in the third minute had the advantage of 9:6, after the three pointer of Stegbauer. A minute later the host came to the first advantage of 10:9 after home captain Barnjak scored. It was interesting that Czech guests in the first quarter scored four three pointers, of which Roby did two for 28:24 after the first ten minutes.
The continuation offered the advantage of the guests, who had a plus of eight, after Geiger scored the eighth and then the eleven basket. After sixteen minutes Škrljevo came back within three points 31:34, but the guests reappearly scored and go to the biggest advantage of plus 11 (31:42) after another three pointer has been achieved by Captain Kozina. By the end of the quarter Egoe Basket Brno on the wings of Geiger, Ruby and Keely go to plus twelve 47:35, which is the final result at the end of the first part of the game.
Brno kept the game in their hands. The hosts managed to get as close as to five points on several occasions, but when they had a chance to come tie the game, they didn’t take their chances. Williams was playing better and better, Yacoubou was good all the game, and with points from Barnjak Škrljevo finaly tied the result. After 33 minutes Krajina converted an and-one to the second lead of the game – 66:65. In the last two minutes the lead changed many times, but in the end Krstanovic’s monster block secured de first victory for the Croatian team.
Damir Rajkovic, head coach of Skrljevo: “This was an historic win for us, this young team need this win for all the work they did. We had a very bad first half, with no defense and we got too many three pointers. We had seven turnovers, and Brno seven three pointers. Brno punished all our mistakes, but in secon half we played better. With better defense we got few easy points, and scored some shots that didn’t went in first half. Congratulations also to Brno for good game and I wish them all the best.”
Josip Barnjak, player of Skrljevo: “We played very bad defense in first half, but we are young and we wanted to show that we can come back. So we played harder and managed to find back into the game. It was a very hard game for us after pre-season, but we are getting better and this win is good for our confidence.”
Dejan Jakara, head coach of Brno: “This was a very good game from both sides, I am looking forward to the next games and the whole season. We played very good first half, but after the break my players seemed to be little bit tired. Espescially when Škrljevo got some important offensive rebounds and tied the game. In the end the game could have gone to our sides too, but Škrljevo scored important shots. I wish them all the best and looking forward to the rematch in Brno.”
Reginald Kelly, player of Brno: “This was a really good game from both teams, with lots of energy and for this young team this is good way. It was a tough loss, but I saw a lot of good stuff in my team, and I’am looking forward to season and next game.”
