SVK - Slovakia’s missed opportunity

BYDGOSZCZ (EuroBasket Women 2011) - There was plenty of intrigue on the first day of the EuroBasket Women in Poland.

Latvia coach George Dikeoulakos went up against his native Greece on Saturday and lost 67-57, and Montenegro played in the event for the first time and blew out hosts Poland, 70-53.

Turkey, who are hosts of the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women and trying to build some momentum by reaching the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, went down to Lithuania 64-58.

What few would have expected to happen was a classic encounter between Slovakia and Russia.

Slovakia, with former boss Natalia Hejkova at the helm and minus leading players like Zuzana Zirkova, scraped a second-place finish in their qualifying group last summer behind Great Britain and they were big underdogs going into a game against gold-medal aspirants Russia.

The feeling before the clash was that Boris Sokolovskiy's Russian side would roll to victory in Bydgoszcz.

This Russia team wants to return to the top of the podium and storm into the London Games where they can then reassert themselves as one of the top sides in the world.

Instead, the Russians trailed in the fourth quarter but did just enough to claim a 68-66 triumph.

Hejkova, who served as Igor Grudin's assistant coach on the Russia team that won the gold in 2007 and then bronze the following year at the Beijing Olympics, could hardly believe Slovakia let slip a great opportunity.

"I don't ever remember being so angry after a game," she said.

"I thought we were the better team. But we gave them a gift, like it was their birthday.

"I'm proud of my team but it was for nothing."

Russia were favorites but there are questions about the strength of their team, especially after last years’ Quarter-Final exit from the FIBA World Championship for Women in the Czech Republic.

Russia also do not have a true point guard and instead are relying on the versatile and very talented Svetlana Abrosimova to serve as their floor general.

Slovakia led 40-32 early in the second half and after falling behind, went back in front at 58-55 with 6:20 to go.

Russia then got baskets from Marina Kuzina, Maria Stepanova and Liudmila Sapova and led 62-58.

With 1:58 to go, Russia finally appeared to have control with a 67-62 advantage after a Stepanova lay-up.

They failed to slam the door shut, though.

When naturalized Slovakian Erin Lawless drilled a three-ball 27 seconds from the end, Hejkova’s team trailed 67-66 and Russia again looked vulnerable.

Slovakia immediately fouled guard Tatiana Popova and she missed both free-throws and Hejkova's team rebounded.

Veteran Russia center Irina Osipova, a player Hejkova had once coached at Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje, blocked a shot by Romana Vynuchalova and grabbed the rebound.

Slovakia fouled Osipova and she made just one of two, but Lucia Kupcikova's potential game-winning three-ball was off the mark.

What would have been an upset against a powerhouse Russia ended up as a frustrating loss.

"Now we have 18 hours to get ready for what will be a critical game," Hejkova said, looking ahead to Sunday's clash with Turkey.

Opening Day Results: Group A - Turkey 58 Lithuania 64, Russia 68 Slovakia 66; Group B - Belarus 55 Great Britain 40, Czech Republic 72 Israel 56; Group C - Spain 79 Germany 69, Poland 53 Montenegro 70; Group D - Greece 67 Latvia 57, France 86 Croatia 40.

FIBA