ESP - Azovmash edge Virtus, face Akasvayu in EuroCup final

GIRONA (EuroCup Final Four) - Azovmash rode their luck in the final seconds to stun Virtus Bologna while hosts Akasvayu Girona thrashed Estudiantes in EuroCup Final Four action on Friday.

The Ukrainian team got 24 points from Panagiotis Liadellis and 16 from Ricardo Powell en route to a 74-73 win over the Italian giants.

Virtus trailed by as many as 18 points in the second quarter but fought back to take the lead in the second half. Azovmash held their nerve and moved back in front late, yet Kenan Bajramovic missed a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining to leave the door open for Virtus. Bologna were unable to take advantage, though, with guard Brett Blizzard's shot from 12 feet just before time expired off target.

Azovmash will in the EuroCup final take on Akasvayu, who got 21 points from 35-year-old Ariel McDonald in an 89-58 mauling of Estudiantes.

In the first semi-final, Virtus went to the changing rooms at half-time trailing 50-35 after Liadellis poured in 16 of his points for the Mariupol side.

Guilherme Giovannoni scored five points in an 8-0 run to start the second half for the Italians, but Rimas Girskis' team kept their noses in front until the start of the fourth quarter, when Virtus reeled off another eight consecutive points to tie the contest at 60-60 with 8:25 remaining.

A Travis Best three-ball gave Virtus their first lead of the game at 71-70 with 3:32 remaining, and Zare Markovski's team would then have a chance to put their opponents away but failed to do so.

Andrea Michelori, one of the top players for Virtus in this contest, missed a pair of free throws.

Bajramovic scored at the other end to put Azovmash back in front, but Michelori replied with a basket to give Virtus a 73-72 lead with 2:24 remaining.

Virtus then failed to box out at the other end, allowing Azovmash to twice grab offensive rebounds - the second by Bajramovic who went up and scored to give his team a 74-73 with 1:36 to go.

Neither club would score the rest of the way.

After Ntousan Tsalikis-Vouktsevits was off target from three-point range for Virtus, Powell missed for Azovmash.

Bajramovic grabbed the offensive board again, however, and was fouled with 51 seconds remaining by Guilherme, forcing the Brazilian international to the bench with his fifth foul.

Bajramovic missed both attempts, though, and Virtus again had a chance to move back in front yet they turned the ball over.

Blizzard was not expecting a pass near the top of the key from Christian Drejer and the ball crossed mid-court, leading to an over-and-back violation.

Azovmash then had to a survive a tense finish because with 11 seconds left, Bajramovic missed a lay-up.

Virtus rebounded and pushed the ball up the floor quickly.

Blizzard got the ball with time running out, dribbled behind his back to free himself for a jump shot at the free throw line and launched his attempt.

The shot hit the back of the rim, and then the front before bouncing out.

Bajramovic grabbed the miss and the final buzzer sounded.

"I think we panicked a couple of times but calmed ourselves down," Powell said. "But give them credit. They were hitting some big shots to get back into the game. We just tried to stay composed and did just enough in the end."

In the second game, Akasavayu stormed out to a 27-14 lead but Estudiantes went on a 12-3 run, with Will McDonald's dunk cutting the deficit to just 30-26 midway through the second quarter.

A Dainius Salenga three-ball sparked an 11-0 run for Akasvayu that spanned four minutest as they took a 41-26 lead with 47 seconds remaining.

Victor Sada's two-handed dunk and then two free throws capping the spurt.

With 12 seconds remaining, Sada, who will receive strong consideration for a place in Spain's EuroBasket squad this summer, stole the ball from Gonzalo Martinez but was called for a travel.

Svetislav Pesic argued the call and was slapped with a technical, and Marlon Garnett made two free throws to reduce the arrears to 41-28.

With just two seconds remaining, Javi Mendiburu grabbed the offensive board on a miss by Garnett and scored on the put-back, drawing a foul by Sada on the play.

He missed the free throw with no time on the clock, and the teams left the court.

The fireworks did not stop, however, as a member of the Estudiantes party had to be restrained from going after Pesic in the tunnel.

When play resumed, Akasavayu delivered the knockout punch.

Marko Marinovic and McDonald buried back-to-back three-pointers, Gregor Fucka made a jump shot and Dalibor Bagaric sank two free throws.

Another McDonald three-ball capped the 13-0 run and Estudiantes never recovered.

Estu had been riding an 11-game winning streak overall and they also had the confidence of a victory at Girona earlier in the season.

“The advantage was with us," McDonald said. "And I said to the players when you are on an 11-game winning streak, there will come a moment where you have to lose. We have been up and down, all season and lost many at home, so I was thinking we would win tonight."

From Jeff Taylor, Girona
FIBA