The national team was knocked out on the third day, but the one against Gibraltar was truly a battle to remember, ending after 45 minutes with a score of 63-70.
In overtime it is our opponents who rejoice, but much applause also goes to this national team which fought despite some important absences. With Andorra’s victory over Malta the initial group and the consequent ranking were completed. Two teams with two wins and one defeat (Andorra and Gibraltar), two with one win and two defeats (Malta and San Marino). The direct clashes put Andorra in first place, followed by Gibraltar, Malta and San Marino. Consequently, the semi-finals on Saturday will be Gibraltar – Malta (5pm) and Andorra – San Marino (7.30pm).
Gibraltar goes ahead with McGrail’s lay-up, but San Marino fights and overtakes at 7-5 thanks to Macina and Riccardi. A break of 0-10 closed by Ortega launches our opponents at +8 (7-15), but our team have the advantage of reacting immediately and are back close at the end of the quarter (11-15).
In the second quarter the defense further increases its tone and San Marino has the opportunity to overtake in the sign of the green line, with points from Cadiman and an excellent Francesco Guida, author of the triple of 22-21. At half time it is 28-28.
Returning from the locker rooms, Gibraltar scores the first basket, another triple from Guida is worth the new overtaking and Moretti’s free throw is even worth the +8 at 42-34 in the 26th minute. It’s the best moment of ours, but Gibraltar returns to being effective in attack and tightens the game at the back, posting a devastating 13-0 run to make it 42-47 in the 29th minute. A couple of knockout punches, but the blue and whites still react, never giving up.
In the fourth period Fiorani overtakes with free throws, but our opponents come back ahead in the following possessions and briefly reach +4. Then there is always and only one possession of margin until the last minutes. Francy Guida overtakes on entry (56-57 at -2’21”), Gibraltar goes back on top with Ortega’s free throws and Cadiman equalizes from the line with 1/2. At 58-58, in the final minute, Yome missed two free throws, with the two teams having one possession each to score without managing to do so. It’s overtime.
In the five-minute overtime, Gibraltar starts off strong with McGrail and Ortega, San Marino gets back to -2 with Botteghi and then also to -1 with Macina’s triple after Perez’s basket. At 64-63 with two minutes to play, Gibraltar has the best sprint and scores with great frequency, taking home the victory with a score of 70-63.
San Marino 63 – Gibraltar 70 (OT)
San Marino: Guida 10 (2/5, 2/3), Macina 13 (4/4, 1/7), Mularoni, Zanotti 5 (1/2, 1/5), Moretti 8 (2/6, 1/4), Cadiman 11 (4/11, 0/3), Riccardi 3 (1/4), Fiorani 7 (0/1, 1/3), Botteghi 6 (3/7), Ugolini ne, Borello ne. Coach: Valentini.
Gibraltar: Perez 14 (6/15), McGrail 20 (7/15, 1/6), El Yettefti 10 (5/15), Yome 17 (6/11, 1/5), Ortega 7 (1/5, 0 /7), J. Cassaglia, Buxton (0/2), Viñales ne, Sylvester ne, Rodriguez ne, Vaughan ne. All.: A. Cassaglia.
Partial: 13-15, 28-28, 44-47, 58-58, 63-70.
Note: free throws San Marino 10/15, Gibraltar 14/23. Rebounds San Marino 48 (Botteghi 12), Gibraltar 54 (El Yettefti 14). Assists San Marino 10 (Macina 3), Gibraltar 12 (McGrail and Ortega 4).
2024-06-28 08:40:37
#European #basketball #championships #San #Marino #defeated #Gibraltar #overtime
