Queta's monster game helps Portugal outlast Georgia; Russia at century mark v Bulgaria
MATOSINHOS (Portugal) - And then there were four! Portugal, Russia, Czech Republic and Belgium reach the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U20 European Championship, Division B in Matosinhos, Portugal.
The hosts had a tough assignment in the Quarter-Finals, facing Rati Andronikashvili and Georgia. If you looked just at the Georgian part of the boxscore, there would be nothing to be worried about because the team scored 85 points, and Andronikashvili caught fire with 21 points, 11 assists and 6 rebounds. However, as good as Georgia were, Portugal were even better!
.@nemi1599 IS A BAD MAN 😤🔥. #FIBAU20Europe@fpbasquetebol 🇵🇹@USUBasketball pic.twitter.com/rBZt3hpqVO
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 19, 2019
Neemias Queta destroyed the opponent on the inside with 26 points on 11-of-17 shooting, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, a steal and a block, giving him 41 efficiency points. Rafael Lisboa with 21 and Francisco Amarante with 20 were also feeling good, a 96-85 win sends the hosts to a duel with Russia in the Semis.
.@fpbasquetebol 🇵🇹 are absolutely unconscious from behind the arc as they make their 11th 👌 of the game!
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 19, 2019
Matosinhos on 🔥. #FIBAU20Europe
📺 https://t.co/B4kMCqlyON pic.twitter.com/WJxrkiW2AH
Russia had no problems at all against Bulgaria, blowing them out 105-66. All 12 players scored for coach Anton Yudin, led by Yury Umrikhin's 22 points in less than 22 minutes. Ivan Evstigneev was on target for 16 points, Alexander Khomenko scored 15, and Egor Bestuzhev and Maxim Lichutin rounded up the double digit scorers with 10 each.
The other part of the bracket sees Czech Republic and Belgium in the Semi-Finals. Belgium won the neighborhood battle against the Netherlands 75-70, with Vrenz Bleijenbergh going all-round to collect 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. The other part of the dynamic duo was also on fire, Haris Bratanovic finished with 20 points and 10 boards on the day, as Morgan Stilma's 22 points go to waste for the Netherlands.
Quarter-Finals ✅. @ceskybasketbal 🇨🇿 / @belgianlions 🇧🇪 / @russiabasket 🇷🇺 and @fpbasquetebol 🇵🇹 will fight for Division A promotion! #FIBAU20Europe pic.twitter.com/8IbxHAgRi6
— FIBA (@FIBA) July 19, 2019
To round up the big individual performances in the Quarter-Finals, Czech Republic gave the ball to Vit Krejci and asked him to lead the way. It was a good decision, as a 77-67 win over Iceland can confirm. Krejci scored 21 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, had 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and a game-high +16 in the +/- part of the boxscore.
Top three teams of this event will advance to Division A in 2020. The Semi-Finals will be played on Saturday, July 20:
- Czech Republic v Belgium 18:30 GMT+01
- Russia v Portugal 20:45 GMT+01
FIBA
