03.07.2011

Golden Russia Down Turkey In Style

Turning Point: In their role as underdogs, it was important Turkey got off to a good start so they could build confidence. However they failed as Russia enjoyed another blistering opening meaning Turkey were always chasing the game.

Game Hero: Turkey had no answer to the dominant Maria Stepanova who claimed a fantastic double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Stats Don't Lie: It's almost impossible to win any game against a quality opponent when you are comprehensively trashed 52-19 on the glass.

It wasn't the smoothest of rides but a rampant Russia finally reached their destination to top the podium and be crowned EuroBasket Women 2011 champions.

Their stuttering and unconvincing start to the tournament was little more than a distant memory as they swept aside Turkey with a classy and powerful performance to make up for missing out on top spot in the Final two years ago.

The victory also ensured their remarkable sequence of podium success woven during previous years continued.

Having won alternate silver and gold medals since 2001, the pattern had hinted at gold this time around and they duly delivered.

Led by veteran Maria Stepanova and tournament MVP Elena Danilochkina, Russia pretty much controlled the game from start to finish as they utilised their strength in the paint and all-round depth of their roster to great effect.

Turkey found it really tough going against an imperious Russian defence right from the first moments.

A superb early play by Birsel Vardarli was a rare highlight but not a sign of things to come since they couldn't penetrate or make a shot from outside and consequently trailed 19-8 after ten minutes.

Russia increased their advantage to sixteen points but Turkey did keep the faith. They came storming back into contention as consecutive triples by Bahar Caglar and Saize Ivegin sparked them into life and helped cut the gap to just five points via a stunning 15-4 run.

However Olga Arteshina settled Russian nerves shortly ahead of the interval when she drooped a three-ball and helped restore the double digit advantage.

Turkish fans, hoping their team would return to the floor and muster the kind of revival witnessed midway through the second quarter, were left disappointed.

With each passing minute during the second half, Russia began to look more and more like champions in waiting.

As hard as Turkey tried, they could make no real impression and a surprise comeback never materialised as Russia cruised home for yet another EuroBasket Women title.

03.07.2011

Quotes Russia vs. Turkey

Russia Center Maria Stepanova:
"I am extremely happy. This is my third gold medal at the EuroBasket Women and it could be my last as I may not play in another EuroBasket Women. We knew we had to play smart against Turkey and use our size advantage. We did that and kept working until the end. We have worked very hard in this tournament. Elena (Danilochkina) was very important for us, she did a great job. She is a young player and she is very talented."

Turkey Center Nevriye Yilmaz:
"This is a huge achievement for us and we are very proud to go home with a silver medal. This is just our fourth EuroBasket Women appearance and to get a medal is a wonderful feeling. We were very tired after our win against France. Russia are a very strong team and we knew we needed a strong start against them if we were to have a chance. We couldn´t keep up with them but we tried. Russia desserve to win gold, they were the better side. Congratulations to them."

Russia Head Coach Boris Sokolovsky:
"We knew it would be a difficult final and that was the case. Turkey is a very good team, it was very challenging for us. The result did not reflect the level of fighting on the court. Sometimes we were lucky. Turkey had gone into this game having won three consecutive games. It was not simple for us to beat them. "

Turkey Head Coach Ceyhyn Yildizoglu:
"Congratulations to Russia. We started bad the tournament and we ended the tournament badly. We could have played better. I know my team can play much better than this. Russia shot well but rebounds were a big difference. But we didn´t play as well as we could have."