19.06.2011

Montenegro Knock Off Spain

Turning Point: Spain leading 43-41 midway through the third quarter, Montenegro went on an 19-8 run that bridged the third and fourth quarter to take a 62-49 lead. Spain cut the gap to eight points with two minutes remaining, but Iva Perovanovic´s three pointer proved a hammer blow for the Spaniards.

Game Heroes: Montenegro center Iva Perovanovic led her team in scoring with 18 points from eight for 12 (67%) shooting. Perovanovic also hauled down nine rebounds, dished out four assists and got one steal and blocked one shot.

Stats Don't Lie: Montenegro were superior shooting the ball on the day.They were six of 11 (55%) from behind the arc while Spain made just two of their 12 long-range attempts. Montenegro out-rebounded Spain 44-29.

 

 

Montenegro are for real!

The EuroBasket Women rookies shocked Spain 66-57 in a fascinating Group C encounter on Sunday in Katowice.

Less than 24 hours after beating hosts Poland, Miodrag Baletic's team improved to 2-0 and in the process looked very much like a side that can go deep in the tournament and even capture a medal.

In emotional scenes after the game, Montenegro players walked over to the end of the bench to celebrate with teammate Ana Baletic, who suffered a serious knee in the win over Poland and was lost for the tournament.

Baletic was in tears as she applauded the side after a victory against Spain, the number five team in the FIBA World Rankings for Women.

Montenegro dominated the boards, out-rebounding Spain 45-29.

That led to 16 valuable second-chance points.

The team from the Balkans also shot the ball well from long range, hitting six of 11 (55%) compared to Spain's two of 12 (17%).

For Spain, Alba Torrens had a game-high 25 points, including 18 in the first half, but her team went to the break trailing 39-31.

With Montenegro leading by 12 late in the second quarter, Torrens took over and poured in seven unanswered points to reduce the deficit to just five.

But Jelena Skerovic hit a three-ball at the half-time buzzer to reclaim the momentum for Montenegro and give them an eight-point lead.

Spain coach Jose Ignacio Hernandez, looking for more energy, sat most of his veterans down at the start of the second half and had Silvia Dominguez, Torrens, Laura Nicholls and Anna Cruz on the court with Anna Montanana and they brought the team back.

Torrens made two free-throws, Dominguez hit a three-pointer and Montanana added a basket to knot the game at 39-39.

Spain then went in front at 43-41 after another shot by Montanana.

More important than the points was the intensity on defense, particularly by Dominguez on Skerovic, as Spain got back in the game.

After Dominguez and Nicholls exited the game, however, Montenegro were able to reassert themselves and went on a 9-2 run to finish the third quarter.

Ana Turcinovic, a 17-year-old center, Iva Perovanovic, Skerovic and Jelena Dubljevic all had buckets in the spurt as Montenegro took a 54-47 advantage to the last frame.

That proved to be the deciding run because while Spain battled and Dominguez eventually reentered the contest, they didn't have a second comeback in them.

Skerovic finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds, Perovanovic 18 with nine boards and Turcinovic 11 points and five rebounds.

Milka Bjelica added five points and seven boards, two blocks and a steal and Dubljevic contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

 

19.06.2011

Quotes Montenegro vs. Spain

Spain Head Coach José Ignacio Hernandez:
"Montenegro were superior. They played a serious game. We played a terrible defense in the first half. We thought we had got back in the game in the third quarter but the difference in rebounds in the second half was key to our defeat. We are not used to losing early in tournaments but I hope the team will not be affected because we have to come out to win tomorrow."

Spain Forward Anna Montañana:
"We were not surprised by Montenegro. They have experienced players that have featured in the EuroLeague and have also played in the Spanish league. We did not come out with the intensity needed to win the game. I think it is a good loss for us because everyone in Spain has been talking about this team winning medals but this defeat will bring us back to earth."

Montenegro Head Coach Miodrag Baletic:
"My players showed a great desire and a lot of concentration throughout the game, especially in the key moments of the game. Weak teams do not win, those that play better do and I thought we were better on the day. We played very good defense and made life difficult for a great team like Spain is. We hopefully can continue to play as we are doing and we look forward to our next game."

Montenegro Player Ana Turcinovic:
"We have experienced players and they have helped me out a lot to adapt to the team and perform well. I believe our great defense and our big heart allowed us to beat Spain. We are delighted to have two wins in two games in our first EuroBasket."