19.06.2011

Mandir Magic Saves Croatia

Turning Point: With the game tied at 63-63 with 12 seconds remaining, Croatia inbounded the ball and captain Sandra Mandir made a jumper to hand her team its first victory of the tournament.

Game Hero: Croatia captain Sandra Mandir poured in six points in the final quarter,including the winning basket. Mandir had a game-high 17 points and dished out five assists.

Stats Don't Lie: Croatia made 12 for 16 (75%) from the charity stripe while Greece finished nine for 17 (53%). Greece star Evanthia Maltsi had a disappointing afternoon and could only contribute eight points, finishing three for 15 (20%)

Croatia proved on Sunday that 24 hours is a very long time in basketball.

Utterly destroyed by defending champions France in their EuroBasket Women Group D opener on Friday, Stipe Bralic's team hit back in grand style and defeated Greece 65-63 with a daring drive and basket in the closing seconds by captain Sandra Mandir.

Croatia, who reeled off the game's first 12 points and led by as many as 15 in the third quarter, allowed the Greeks to come back in the fourth quarter and go in front.

Anna Spyridopoulou, a former youth international who came into her own this season with Aris in the Greece domestic league and the EuroCup Women, got off the bench early in the fourth quarter and hit back-to-back three-balls to trim the deficit to 53-49.

A third trey from the 22-year-old closed the gap to 55-52 and another shot from the arc by Evina Maltsi gave Greece a 56-55 lead with 6:02 remaining.

But four straight free-throws - two by Mandir and another two by Jelena Ivezic - would give the Croatians a 63-59 advantage with 1:25 to play and they seemed to be headed for victory.

Dimitra Kalentzou worked her way into the lane and hit an eight-footer for Greece, though, and when Croatia gave the ball right back after failing to cross midcourt in the allotted eight seconds due to a surprise Greek press, Ana Lelas fouled Stella Kaltsidou and she sank both free-throws to tie the game.

Just 12 seconds remained and Croatia coach Stipe Bralic called timeout.

Croatia inbounded the ball from midcourt to Mandir, and the 33-year-old took a few dribbles before trying to get into the lane to launch a game-winner.

She dribbled to the right of Olga Chatzinikolaou and then avoided a double-team by spinning back into the paint.

Mandir released the ball with both hands and watched as it hit off the square on the backboard and fell through the hoop to set off celebrations on the Croatia bench.

Greece had enough time to inbound the ball to Kaltsidou but her prayer from close to midcourt missed everything.

When it was over, Mandir had played 37 minutes and led all scorers with 19 points.

Kalentzou and Kaltsidou poured in 14 apiece and the former had 12 rebounds.

 

19.06.2011

Quotes Croatia vs. Greece

Greece Head Coach Kostas Missas:
"We had a very bad first half. We did better in the third quarter and got back in the game thanks to our defensive work. But we struggled shooting throughout the game and (Evanthia) Maltsi struggled. I thought Croatia executed the last offense very well, so congratulations to them."

Greece Forward Styliani Kaltsidou:
"We lost the game in the first half. We gave them open shots and that gave them confidence. We did not do what we had to do but we made a big effort to get back in the game. The game was decided in one shot and it was down to luck."

Croatia Head Coach Stipe Bralic:
"I am very happy because after yesterday´s heavy loss to France, my team came out 15 hours later and played much better. We had an excellent first half against a Greek side that has a lot of experience. We did not play so well in the second half because we had many of our top players in foul trouble. I am delighted that we executed our last offense well and that we have won this game."

Croatia Guard Sandra Mandir:
"As one of the most experienced players in the team, I am used to taking the last shot. Sometimes it goes in and other times it does not. Fortunately, today it did. I was not surprised because we built a lot of confidence throughout the game and I knew I could make the shot. This is a great win for us, especially after yesterday´s defeat to France. We played a lot better and we deserved this win."