KK Zabok – SCM Ohma Mozzart Bet Timisoara 63:88 (18:18, 19:25, 11:23, 15:22)
Referees: Španić, Kranjc, Palčić (all Slovenia)
Attendance: 150
Venue: City Arena, Zabok
Scorers – Zabok: Stipaničev 12, Garrett 11, Bašić 9, Jacović 8, Lukačić 7, Tomić 6, Kučan 5, Prskalo 3, Antonić 2
Scorers – Timisoara: Gajić 23, Kešar 20, Doković 12, McClellan 11, Nasturescu 6, Lazar and Mirković each 5, Vujošević 4, Petrescu 2, Maticiuc, Mocritchi and Schipor 0
Zabok was looking good in the first half, and in the eight minute, thanks to Garrett and Stipaničev, took a seven point lead (16:9). Until the end of the first quarter, Timisoara team put the tempo up and equalized the score (18:18). In the 17. Minute Timisoara team a ten point lead when Ilija Djoković scored a three pointer (28:38). By half time the result was 37:43 for the team Timisoara.
The game was practically over in the third quarter, when the guests pushed up the defense, and in the 28. Minute took a 20-point lead. Zabok was fighting as hard as he could, but the guests took a deserved win with a 25-point margin (63:88).
Post-game quotes:
Jakša Vulić, coach of Zabok: „Deserved win for Timisoara team. We knew that they were better. We are satisfied with our first half, and that is the game we have to play for the rest of the time. We are far from our game, we have problems with injuries. This game is good for us to see where we stand before the start of our season.“
Jakov Stipaničev, player of Zabok: „We played good in the first half, but in the second half we didn’t play well. We are still not completed and we are working on our game. This game is good for us to see where we stand as a team.“
Dragan Petričević, coach of Timisoara: “First of all, I want to highlight the hospitality of the host team. It was indeed a European Cup match. Thanks to the hosts for the good organization so far. As for our team is concern, we didn’t play good basketball in the first two quarters because the hosts played very well and put up a very good resistance. In the second half you could see that we are an experienced team. I am particularly happy that it is the first victory in the last ten years for the Timisoara basketball outside the country’s borders. We have to quickly forget this match and focus on the next one, which we will play tomorrow against KK Rogaska, a totally different opponent, who plays a different basketball. We have to be strong in all aspects, both mentally and physically to play good basketball tomorrow as well.”
Eric McClellan, player of Timisoara: “It was the first international game and everybody was excited to get to Zabok and to get used to the city and the floor. We were agressive at both ends, there were also times in the game when we had ups and downs, but it’s normal so early in the season for a team like ours, a brand new one. We are still getting our chemistry down, we are still getting to know each other, to know our spots on the floor. I am proud of this group. We came out with the correct mindset. Now we concentrate for the next game, which will be played tomorrow.”
