Belarus Win In Overtime Over Brazil For Ticket To Beijing

BELARUS 82 – BRAZIL 76

Belarus rallied an early 7-2 run from Brazil (with Iziane Castro scoring 4 points) and recovered their balance on the court to chip the Brasilian lead until put themselves in front after a 6-0 run capped by Marina Kress with two minutes remaining in the first (19-18) finishing with scores even at 22 points  

Belarus got better in defense in the second and made a 9-0 run to Paulo Fossul’s team in the first three minutes and a half, putting themselves in front 31-22. After the sport none of the teams scored fluently. Volha Padabeb pulled Belarus’ run two minutes after leading to Brazil’s time out. Micaela Martins cut the Brazilian drought making it 33-24 with 3:55 for the break, after Brazil had got better in defense, only allowing 2 points to Belarus in the remaining of the quarter

After the break Belarus increased its advantage to 38-28 in the early stages of the third but then the best version of Brazil’s defense came back and lead to the Caribbeans to score a 7-0 run to get into six points, 44-38, with 3:30 for the end of the third. Franciele Do Nascimento would make it 43-46 after converting a three point play with 2:28 remaining but a driving to the basket from Natalia Marchanka and a three pointer from Volha Padabeb let Belarus breath, 43-51, with 1:45.

Brazil decided to press all court and it paid off leading to a 7-0 run, capped by Karla Martins beating the buzzer from the perimeter making in 51-50 for Belarus at the beginning of the fourth. The same Karla Martins starred in the last minutes for Brazil. She scored again from beyond the arc putting her team ahead for the first time since the first quarter and sparking an 8-1 run who put Brazil up, 61-52, after 1:36 in the fourth

Belarus was having a hard time in front of Brazil’s defense which caused several turnovers but fortunately for them the Brazilians didn’t execute their offense either and Belarus could kept themselves in the game, closing the gap to 65-62 with 3:45 to the end

Karla Martins pulled Brazil’s lead again, and once again from outside, 68-62, with 3:30 remaining. The nerviness was on court since minutes ago, with both teams rushed their offenses and turning the ball over. With Brazil pressing full court the ball fall into Tayana Troina’s hands who drove to the top of the key and converted the three pointer to make it, 72-70, with 1:09. Brazil wasn’t able to score their offense and left 31 seconds for Belarus miracle. Troina split two free throws in the next possession, after which Brazil would run out the shot clock. Anastasiya Verayemenka received the ball then and forced the foul. She split the free throws and send the game to overtime , 72-72.

Belarus kept the composure in the extra time and, after putting themselves in front after a three point play from Anastasiya Verayemenka and they won’t never look back despite the efforts made by Brazil, who couldn’t find a way to score consistently. Even though Karla Martins, who scored 5 from the seven points from Brazil in overtime, was putting all her best trying to lead her team to the Olympics, .Belarus had taken control of the game and booked a ticket to Beijing Olympics after winning 79-86