Five takeaways: Semi-Finals set as group phase saves the best for last

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The final day of the group phase has been the best day of the 2024 Youth BCL tournament so far, with thrills, spills and quality games galore.

The four group winners emerged after the thrilling Thursday action concluded and will cross paths in the Semi-Finals on Friday, Rytas Vilnius will face reigning champions Igokea m:tel, while Tofas Bursa will do battle with Galatasaray in the all-Turkish second Semi-Final. 

Here are the Day 3 results:
- Igokea m:tel vs. BA Nymburk m:tel: 88-76 (rewatch here)
- Tofas Bursa vs. Porsche BBA Ludwigsburg: 80-76 (rewatch here)
- Hapoel Jerusalem vs. Galatasaray: 54-95 (rewatch here)
- Rytas Vilnius vs Lenovo Tenerife: 86-76 (rewatch here)
- Promitheas Patras vs.Team Debrecen: 44-83 (rewatch here)

And here are five takeaways from the third day of action:

#1 - Nymburk heads held high

BA Nymburk may have lost this game against Igokea:mtel but they can take a huge amount of heart and pride in their performance. 

The last time these two met last year, Igokea cruised to a 112-60 win. On Thursday, the game looked like it was headed the same way with the Bosnians up 54-34 at halftime. Nymburk however, refused to go out like that again and scored 28 in the third quarter to will their way back into the game. 

Jakub Zajic's dogged on-ball defense in the fourth quarter personified their never-say-die mentality but in the end, the 2023 champions just had too much for them and won it 88-76.

 

#2 - Tofas are battle-tested

After their dominant win over Opava on Wednesday, Tofas were made to work much, much harder to get over the line against Ludwigsburg who had a four-point lead with 2:13 on the clock in the fourth quarter.

 

The Germans also had the advantage of an extra day's rest but if you have title ambitions as Tofas do, these are the tests you need to pass. And pass the test they did.

Guards Efe Postel and Omer Al Engin put up 19 and 21 points respectively, with wing Enes Akman chipping in with another 19. Into the Semi-Finals goes the Turkish club. 

#3 - Impossible is nothing for Galatasaray

This sport never ceases to amaze.

To set the scene: Galatasaray lost to Baskets Oldenburg in their opening game by 11 points. Oldenburg then lost to Hapoel Jerusalem 69-73 in their next game, leaving the Israelis firm favorites to make it to the Semi-Finals.

Any win for Jerusalem would have been enough. Any win under 39 points for Galatasaray would have sent Oldenburg through. There was only one outcome that could see Galatasaray making it and the chances looked impossible 

But for Galatasaray now, after winning the game 42 points, impossible is nothing.

They were led by 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists from captain Kerem Erdem in one of the best performances ever in the Youth BCL. He was supported by 25 points from Sarp Ugurluoglu, 21 points from Deniz Kocaman, and 15 from Tuna Ocal. 

 

#4 - Rytas are ready for a rematch

Rytas Vilnius against Lenovo Tenerife was billed as the game of the day and it didn't disappoint. Whereas the previous game between Galatasaray and Jerusalem had complicated permutations, this one was simple: the winner advanced to the Semi-Finals.

For all of the first half and most of the third quarter it was unclear which of these two teams would be making it through. Then Rytas Vilnius went on a 14-1 run the close out the third and never looked back.

Point guard Mantas Liutkevicius had his best game of the tournament with a 16-point, 12-assist double-double. Ignas Urbonas further strengthened his credentials with 19 points and 5 rebounds, and Gantas Krizanauskas was doing everything with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists.

 

Next up? The rematch with Igokea from last year's Semi-Final. You don't want to miss this.

#5 - Team Debrecen play crowd pleasers and get off the mark

The home team led the game from start to finish in a completely dominant victory over Promitheas Patras.

Debrecen dished out 21 assists and pulled 50 rebounds. Peter Rosta added to an impressive tournament with 14 points and 8 rebounds, whilst fellow Czechia national team player Mark Mezofi added 13 points as well.