Basketball, Under 16 European Championships: San Marino knocked out with Kosovo (56-70)
Nothing to do for the Under 16 national team in the match against Moldova at the European division C in Kosovo. In the challenge valid for the semifinal 5th-8th place, the boys of coach Porcarelli are beaten 56-70 at the end of a hard-fought and intense match, with the teams at a distance in full fourth period (50-53) before of the decisive draw.
THE CHRONICLE. Marinelli and Zavoli lead San Marino, Pasura and Voitenco equalize and Moldova in the wake immediately tries to stretch to 6-14. Ours do not fit, they have determination to sell and do not give up an inch. Conforti’s triple is worth -4 (11-15), with the final quarter favorable, however, to the opponents (11-18). In the second period, the biancazzurri remain to put incredible energy into the defense and recover an industrial quantity of pellets. A few triples agree to Moldova to stay ahead, with ours always very close to one or two marginal possessions. Botteghi puts together a first half of 7 rebounds and 9 recoveries, the team does not let the opponent’s attack breathe and halfway through the match everything is still at stake (27-31).
Back from the locker rooms Moldova tries the decisive escape going 33-46, but the triples of Longo and Marinelli, combined with the points of Gasperoni, bring San Marino one step away from the opponents at 42-46 at 27 ‘. In the fourth set the boys arrive at a distance of possession with Marinelli’s long two (50-53 at -7’26 ”) and a few actions later have even a triple of the same. The shot, however, does not enter and Moldova extends often going to the line. Our players lose a few balls and are no longer able to be effective in attack, with the game not ending at 50-64 three minutes from the gong. It ends 56-70.
Sunday, at 13.45, the match is valid for 7th place with the loser of Gibraltar – Malta.
The Scoreboard
SAN MARINO – MOLDOVA 56-70
SAN MARINO: Botteghi 9 (3/19, 0/6), Ronci 3 (1/3 of three), Marinelli 16 (6/19, 1/5), Gasperoni 10 (4/8), Zavoli 4 (2/5), Berti (0/1), Conforti 7 (2/5, 1/3), Longo 3 (0/1, 1/4), Pagliarani 2 (1/2), Rossini 2 (1/3), Bianchi (0 / 1 from three), Michelotti (0/2, 0/2). Herdsman: Porcarelli.
MOLDAVIA: Cebotari 14 (1/12, 3/9), Cusniriuc 14 (0/3, 3/7), Pasura 10 (4/12), Suvac 4 (0/3, 1/2), Voitenco 25 (7/10 ), Basiul 3 (0/2, 1/3), Dogadov (0/1, 0/1), Lutisin, Baraboi ne, Caleniuc ne, Tretiacov ne, Zaicenco ne. All .: Utin.
Partials: 11-18, 27-31, 44-50, 56-70.
Free throws: San Marino 6/11, Moldova 22/33
Rebounds: San Marino 44 (Botteghi 9), Moldova 69 (Voitenco 22)
Assist: San Marino 11 (Botteghi 5), Moldova 13 (Cusniriuc 5)
Recovery: San Marino 26 (Botteghi 11), Moldova 8 (three with 2)