Second day of FIBAEuropeU20 is done.
The first game was dominated by the Israeli defense, which limited Poland
to only 49 points.
The second game was much more entertaining, as Bulgaria led most of the
second half but France, who came up short yesterday, were able to steal the
crucial victory.
Both Israel and Poland started the game with shaky plays,
as Poland were not able to find ways to score while Israel turned the ball over
a lot.
The Israeli squad played "small-ball" most of the game, and
used their speed advantage scramble the Polish half court sets with switching,
trapping and active hands on passing lanes.
The organized but not very talented Polish team just couldn’t fined ways
to deal with Israel active defense.
The Israelis forwards often pushed the ball on the break, not seizing
good scoring situations but causing havoc on the court.
As I am not objective about the Israel squad I won't write opinions on its players.
I was very disappointed by the play of Mikolaj Witilinsky,
playing soft, not using his size advantage against the small forwards who guarded
him most of the game.
The second game was a heck of a basketball game, featuring much Improved
Alexander Vezenkov, who played an incredible all around game, doing it
all for the Bulgarians.
He is at his best when he plays off the ball, using the French deny
defense against them with great backdoors, using his incredible feel for the
game.
The problem is- he never rests, played 37 minutes (1:30 of the rest was
when he fouled out).
The Center for the Bulgarians, Denislav Vutev, had a great game,
using his mobility to score in the paint, crushing the offensive boards and
find gaps in the loaded French paint.
Very skinny for a Center, he wasn't able to contain the massive Jaiteh,
and also left his feet too much on the French guards penetrations, leaving his
man for open layups time after time.
French PG Boris Dallo had a good game, scoring the winning basket
and providing the French team with a great athletic plays on offense.
Not a pure PG, Dallo is an attack the rim first guard with nice size for
a European guard, great athleticism who can go either hand for the finish or
the dish, and today did a much better job with the ball, not turning it over
even once (yesterday 4 times).
He should improve his jumpshot and developing mid range game in order to
play at the highest level, but the physical tools are there.
Tomorrow begins with the Bulgarians trying to keep their hopes alive against
the dynamic Russians, a matchup to watch because the Russian have no player who
can contain Vezenkov.
The second game is the clash between Israel and France, Im looking forward to see Israel playing with more
conventional lineups, as French athleticism and size is in clear advantage.
In Iraklio, where I will be heading after the first group stage, the
Turks and Slovenians are Impressive, Turks with their usual depth in every
position and Slovenia with their dynamic undersized backcourt of Rebec and
Nikolic.
More thoughts on those teams when I see them.
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