Portugal and Bosnia Start competition off with a cracker

Bosnia started the game at a fast pace and rushed off to an early lead (7:2). Portugal’s head coach Rudi Gomez then changed tactics as his guards started picking up steals and by the end of the first period it was a one-point game (11:10) in favour of Bosnia. The game remained close in the second period until Matea Tuvic took things into her hands with 13 points to extend Bosnia’s advantage (31-20) at the interval. After the break Portugal came out stronger and brought the score back rapidly with an 8-0 (32-28). With the game nicely poised the match-up between Matea Tavic (31 points) and Maria Correia (28 points) became the highlight of the match as both players inspired the rest of the players as the temperature took its toil on the players. Bosnia held on to a slim 3-point lead going into the final period.

The 4th period was end-to-end basketball with bodies flying all over the place but very little scoring. Portugal were hampered by foul problems but managed to go briefly in front (51:49) for the first and only time in the match with 4 minutes remaining. The experience of the Bosnian forwards in exploiting the foul situation kept them in the match with free throws. Both sides had the opportunity to win the game in relegation time but the ball just would not drop and overtime was required.

The first 3 minutes overtime were without any scores from either side. Afterwards the match came to live with a 6-0 run by Bosnia and despite a spirited effort by Portugal, Bosnia did just enough to hold on which was required as Correia ended the match with a 3-point shot.

Final Score: Bosnia & Herzegovina 64 - Portugal 62

Full statistics are available at here

Coaches Comments

Bosnia head coach Jadranka Savic had this to say after the game: We did not know much about Portugal but we know from before that they are an exciting team, they can have short player who is so quick and then tall players that are also quick and we did not know much about that but we prepared for a strong good game and they showed that because the game went into extra time. I want to congratulate the head coach of Portugal because he has a team that fight all the time and never give up and in the end our free throws made the difference.

Rui Gomis (In Picture) Portugal head coach comments: It was a nice game and I think it was fun for the girls because it is not often that the girls have this type of game, with overtime and close games and I believe it was fun for them and I believe it is one of the most important things in this type of competition at U16. About the game itself, they deserved to win because they are more mature than us and at the beginning of the game we allowed too many second chances, we did not hustle the guards enough and they understood this. In the second half of the game we switched to zone but the key was we become more aggressive disturbing the rhythm of Bosnia and once the 3-point shoot starting going in we were back in the game but unfortunately foul trouble hampered our progress in the end. I cannot complain they played well today and I believe this should put us in good shape for our game on Sunday, we have a nice squad this year and it is a pleasure to work with them.