EuroBasket Women 2009 victories for Turkey and Russia



France are in Group F of EuroBasket Women 2009 Qualifying Round. They will play Lithuania, Turkey and Russia.

Only 4 teams from the group will qualify for the knock-out stage of the European Championship.

Turkey have got off to a good start by beating Italy (64-59) in the opening game. Russia were not pushed hard by Belarus (66-51) to remain unbeaten in the competition.

Kathrin Ress speaks in English about what is next for Italy at the end of the Italy-Turkey high report.

You can read more about the games of interest by clicking on the following links or scrolling down the page:

Turkey 64-59 Poland

Russia 66-51 Belarus


Turkey keep EuroBasket Women ambition alive

Turkey happy after beating Italy © womensbasketball-in-france.com

Italy did not waste any time in opening the scoring as Simona Ballardini raced down the wing and drove for a lay-up with just six seconds on the clock. Turkey took more than two minutes to get organised and finally got off the mark through Nevin Kristen Nevlin. They then stepped up a gear and went into the lead through Birsel Vardarli which was quickly followed by a baseline trey by Nevlin (7-2). Afterwards Nevlin was called for an unsportsmanlike foul on Laura Macchi who then converted one of the two free-throws. Turkey continued to play quickly and and Nevlin continued her scoring festival with 10 points for her side to lead (12-7) with five minutes played. Italy then changed their tactics and moved to the outside. This resulted in a baseline jumper for 2 points by Marte Alexander and a top of the arc three-pointer by Raffaella Masciadri to tie the game (12-12). Turkey responded with a couple of nicely worked three-point plays for Bahar Caglar and Saziye Ivegin to regain the lead (18-12). Ballardini managed to find ways to score for Italy. Yet it was Turkey who edged the first period (20-16). The second quarter was fast and furious as both sides stepped up defensively. Rebounds were evenly contested at both ends of the court with bodies flying all over the place. Vardarli was knocked flying, finished on the floor but still hit her shot for Turkey to move 6 points clear (26-20). Caglar completed Turkey's 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 11 points. Italy had no choice but to play more aggressively in the paint which resulted in Alexander scoring twice. However Italy allowed Nilay Yigit to slalom into their paint to lay up for the last points of the quarter for her side to go into the interval leading (33-24). Both teams came out of the locking room firing shots. Italy had no luck from the three-point line and continued to work inside while for Turkey was setting the plays. Turkey were hitting their shots from all over the court and opened up a lead of 15 points (50-35) with 21/2 minutes left to play in the third period. Yasemin Horasan from Turkey and Adriana Grasso from Italy had a little clash after an off-the-ball incident. Grasso was not happy and made it known to the officials before the game could continue. Turkey went into the final period (51-39). Italy became more aggressive in the final quarter and kept Turkey scoreless for almost four minutes while scoring 6 points (45-51). Kathrin Ress from Italy and Nevlin from Turkey were both taken out of the action with 4 fouls each as the game came to a climax with six minutes to play. Italy continued to push Turkey into errors as they trailed by just 4 points (47-51). Finally Turkey scored in the last period with Horasan connecting in a messy play on the third attempt with 4 ½ minutes left to play. They were then leading (58-51) with the game entering money-time. Italy were left with no choice but to foul the Turkish players to stop the game clock and sent them to the free-throw line. Turkey remained calm and hit 5-of-6 to hold off Italy. Laura Macchi scored on the buzzer for Italy to close the game. Turkey won (64-59) and move above Italy in the EuroBasket Women Qualifying Group F.

EuroBasket Women 2009 Box Scores.

Ress from Italy speaks about the preparation for the next game against Russia and what the team should be learning from this defeat.


(Note: If you are using Internet Explorer click twice on the triangle)



Russia stay unbeaten at EuroBasket Women

Russia thanks the supporter © womensbasketball-in-france.com

Belarus were quickly into their stride with swift movement and got off the mark through Anastasiya Verameyenka.

Both teams' observation phase continued for almost two minutes before Verameyenka doubled the points for her side.

Then Maria Stepanova hit a baseline jumper to get Russia off the mark.

But it was Natallia Marchanka from Belarus that got the few fans in the hall on their feet with almost three minutes (7-2) played.

Svetlana Abrosimova started to run the ball for Russia and opened up the Belarus defense.

Ilona Korstin made use of the extra space for back to back scores. Russia eventually drew level with a trey from Abrosimova.

Russia looked as if they were going to take the lead as Korstin went up for a lay-up. However Verameyenka came from nowhere and blocked the attempt.

Russia finally went in front after back to back baskets from Stepanova and a trey from the top of the key from Marina Kuzina (16-11).

Russia and Belarus in actiin during Eurobasket Women 2009 © womensbasketball-in-france.comMarina Kress brought Russia’s 9-0 run to an end with a couple of free-throws.

Natallia Anufryienka from Belarus opened her account for the last points of the quarter (15-18).

The start of the second period was played at a leisurely pace with both sides defensively holding up impressive blocks.

Kuzina from Russia was the only player to score in the first four minutes with a three-pointer for Russia (21-15).

Russia extended their advantage after Stepanova found Irina Osipova. Both coach made changes and the game became a little quicker as there was an exchange of baskets.

Russia held on to the advantage (26-19) with three minutes remaining in the second period.

Then they started to become a little careless in their execution.

Belarus took advantage with back to back scores which forced the Russian head coach Valeriy Tikhonenko to call for a time-out.

Afterwards Russia returned more focused and went into the interval leading (32-23) after baskets from Ekaterina Lisina and Korstin.

The two teams reverted back to a leisurely pace for the first four minutes of the third period while exchanging baskets constantly with Russia maintaining the advantage (42-34).

The Russian coach decided it was time to inject some pace into the game and also stopped Belarus from scoring. Stepanova made a difference with her return with 4 quick points offensively. She also was mainly responsible for Belarus failing to score for more than 3 ½ minutes.

Her side went into the final period leading (50-36).

Russia never appeared to be in any trouble in this game. The final quarter, although entertaining, became no more than an exhibition game.

Russia won the match (66-51).

EuroBasket Women 2009 Box Scores.


Spain and Latvia in quarter-final

Four teams go home

Five teams qualify for the next phase

EuroBasket Women news from day 1

Return from EuroBasket Women 2009 finals to "What's New" page

Return to Senior International Basketball

EuroBasket Women 2009 pictures credits :

womensbasketball-in-france.com

Date: 12 June 2009


hit counter

blog stats

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.






BlockBuilder 2