On Saturday, October 3, the third championship of Pafbet Latvian-Estonian league started with a lively Kurzeme derby BC “Liepāja” – BC “Ventspils” (91:92). In the second match, “VEF Rīga” convincingly defeated BC “Ogre” (81:63), in the third “University of Latvia” lost “Valmiera Glass VIA” (70:85). The first matches between the Estonian teams will take place at the end of next week, until December 6, the teams will play only within their own country. Live statistics: https://www.estlatbl.com/lv
BC “Liepāja” – BC “Ventspils” 91:92 (32:24, 51:45, 71:71)
The game fully met the expectations of an interesting storyline and beautiful episodes performed by both teams, ending with a dramatic solution in the last seconds.
For both teams, the attack was better than defense, promising interesting performances for the spectators, gray hair and professional challenges for coaches, as well as a lot of black training players. Most of the match was led by Liepaja players (the biggest advantage in the 11th minute – 35:24), who successfully led the attack on the peak Iļju Gromova and skillfully broke the defense of Ventspils with effective long moves (two-pointers throughout the game 29/44 – 24/51). However, the guests faced more effective long-range shots (6/18 – 10/24) and a big advantage in the fight against the baskets (31-46).
After a big break, Ventspils reduced the difference and at the end of the third quarter they broke into the lead for a while (66:71). “Liepāja” immediately regained the lead and in the fourth quarter was mostly ahead, reaching 91:88 55 minutes before the end. However, the experienced Ventspils leaders Māris Gulbis and Artūrs Ausējs played the coldest in the end.
Throughout the game “Liepāja” Iļja Gromovs scored 24 points and won 8 balls, Roberts Bērziņš – 15 points, Guntis Sīpoliņš 14, Roberts Krastiņš 11 points.
Māris Gulbis scored 33 points for Ventspils, Artūrs Ausējs 18 (8 assists), Cameron Randls 15.
BC “Ogre” – “VEF Riga” 63:81 (15:27, 33:54, 48:67)
Ogre basketball players were not ready for the speed and intensity of the game dictated by the main winner of “VEF Rīga” this time.
After a rough start from the players (5:24 – 7 minutes), at the beginning of the game, the home team managed to take the initiative for a while and reduce the difference to 20:29 (in the 13th minute). However, the Vefis conducted by Aigars Šķēle soon regained an impressive lead, removing hopes for intrigue. Ogre also failed to restore it in the second half, when VEF Rīga’s offensive began to run out of capacity.
Throughout the game, the winners have much better accuracy in throws from the game (two-pointers 11/35 – 24/44, three-pointers 8/29 – 8/21), as well as fewer errors (11-18).
Aigars Šķēle scored 21 points for the VEF Rīga team and made 6 assists, Kristers Zoriks 13, Michael Kaizers 13, Artis Ate 10.
“Ogre” Kaspars Bērziņš scored 17 points and won 10 balls, Endrū Volkers 14, Rinalds Sirsniņš 13.
“University of Latvia” – “Valmiera Glass VIA” 70:85 (24:17, 36:52, 52:67)
The wings were the focus of most of Valmieras’s attacks today. Points 26-40 of the game, moreover, the guests more often earned the right to enter the penalty shootout line: 11/17 – 23/35.
The team of “University of Latvia” was in the lead until the middle of the second quarter (26:17 – in the 11th minute), but after 28:28 (14th) the Vidzeme players managed a decisive breakthrough – 36:52. In the second half, the guests did not allow the hosts for more than 10 points.
“University of Latvia” Nikolajs Zotovs scored 24 points, Pauls Miglinieks 11.
Valmiera team Māris Ziediņš 17, Ervīns Jonāts 16 + 10 atl., Edmunds Elksnis 15 + 13 passes.
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