Only six healthy players had Brno basketball players at Žabin, but they still had to compete in the eighth finals of the European Cup in France. No wonder Bourges lost 55:94 and said goodbye to the competition.
“We didn’t deserve this. My sense of mind remains above total ignorance and rules in this time of day. The fact that it didn’t reflect on the health problems and risks that are associated with being forced to play today’s match,” coach Brňanek said angrily. Viktor Pruša after the match.
“I don’t see how that could have happened,” he shook his head in disappointment.
His Brňanek team was decimated by health problems. According to general manager Radek Šír, one player had a positive coronavirus test after arriving in France and the team had to be quarantined, and the other three were not fit. The coach thus had only six basketball players available in France.
Žabiny lost the first half by 17 points, after a break the visiting team in a narrow rotation quickly ran out of strength and the difference in score grew. Bria Holmesová was the best shooter with 16 points, Kateřina Galíčková scored one point less. The third player, who played the whole 40 minutes, Monika Grigalauskytéová scored eight points and added eleven rebounds.
“Hats off and a lot of credit to the players who competed against the favorite of the entire Eurocup today at six. They fought from the first to the last minute,” Pruša paid tribute to his charges over a heavy loss.
Brňanky lost to their rivals on Monday at home in the first duel by thirty points.
European Basketball Cup – round of 16, revenge:
Tango Bourges – Žabiny Brno 94:55 (27:18, 46:29, 72:40)
Most points: Rupertová 27, Guapová 13, Mannová 11 – Holmesová 16, Galíčková 15, Grigalauskytéová 8. First match 79:49, Bourges advanced.
