01/02/2020
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By coming to the end of Monthey (72-57), the men of Petar Aleksic won their ticket for the final of the League Cup. They will play Sunday at 4 p.m. against the winner of the match between Union Neuchâtel and the Geneva Lions.
Last in class at the three-point skill, Friborg Olympic owed their salute on Saturday night to the award-winning shots. While Monthey was playing level with the men of Petar Aleksic (41-41, 26th), Tim Derksen came out of his box to sign six points in a minute and give a comfortable first mattress to Friborg Olympic. “It would be wrong to say that I did this alone,” said Tim Derksen. To have an address it is above all necessary that I be in a good position and it is the team that works for that. “But the Valaisans came back to the charge and, once again, it is the American who found the fault behind the three-point line, followed by Natan Jurkovitz. A blow for the Montheysans who had just returned to two small points (36th). “Playing only 35 out of 40 minutes against such a team was difficult,” said Valais player Noé Anabir.
The difference, Friborg Olympic did not only make it thanks to its address, but especially by its defensive performance close to perfection. “We were able to stay focused by just defending on Dunans and Jankovic (the two best scorers of Monthey, note), rejoices Petar Aleksic. Obviously, there were these important shots, but it was a sum of elements that made us in the final. “
Sunday at 4 p.m., Friborg Olympic will therefore play its thirteenth League Cup final in 17 editions. To win a sixth trophy in this competition, Petar Aleksic’s men will have to beat the winner of the match between Union Neuchâtel and the Geneva Lions. “We have a few hours to recover some energy, but what will make the difference will be to play with passion,” concludes Petar Aleksic.
Friborg Olymic – Monthey 72-57 (17-14 16-18 18-12 21-13)
Pierrier room. Referees: Herbert (CAN), Marmy (SUI), Novakovic (SRB). Notes: Friborg Olympic without Touré, Gravet (injured) and Martina (absent).
Friborg Olympic: Pollard (18 points), Mbala (6), Derksen (19), Jurkovitz (16), James (3); Garrett (4), Jaunin (3), Aw (0), Louissaint (3). Coach: Petar Aleksic.
Monthey Timberlake (15), Kessler (0), Dunans (4), Anabir (20), Jankovic (6); Bailey (4), Desponds, Tutonda. Coach: Patrick Pembele.
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