Vytautas Pliauga’s students after three consecutive victories in the final in overtime 84:89 (19:11, 19:22, 18:23, 21:21; 7:12) lost to Ulm “Ratiopharm” team from Germany.
After a powerful 15-2 start, the green-white team was close to victory at the end of the fourth quarter, when they led 76-72 with 24 seconds left to play and still had the ball in their hands, but then they made a mistake, missed a layup, took only one penalty out of two and did not stop the opponent’s leader Noa Essengue from the equalizing three-pointer – 77:77.
Everything went well until the last minute. Žalgiris was ahead 84:83, and Neds Raupelis threw two free throws. Both of them flew by, the talents of “Ratiopharm” nailed a three-pointer, and then also realized three penalties and closed the match.
Mantas Juzēnas scored 28 points (6/14 double points, 5/10 three-pointers, 1/3 penalties, 16 rebounds, 4 assists), N. Raupelis – 18 (9/11 double points, 0/1 three-pointers , 0/3 penalties, 10 rebounds), Dovydas Buika – 15 points (1/9 three-pointer, 5 errors).
Noa Essengue stood out among the winners with as many as 33 points (9/14 two-pointers, 1/3 three-pointers, 12/21 penalties), 18 grabbed rebounds, 16 provoked fouls and 54 utility points.
Joel Cwik added 20 points, Jervis Scheffs added 12.
By the way, the 17-year-old French understudy of Zalgiris, Thomas Bassong, won the putting contest held before the grand final, effectively pushing the ball past two teammates.
At that time, Ernas Pakamanis was second in the three-point contest.
In addition, two talents of “Žalgiris” – M. Juzēnas and N. Raupelis – made it to the symbolic five of the Euroleague youth selection tournament.
