«Astana» versus «Nizhniy Novgorod»

05.01.2018, 09:00 Просмотров: 573
Источник: Press service
Автор: Almira Shakhaeva

This Saturday, January 6th, capital basketball club will play its first home match in VTB United League in the new year against «Nizhny Novgorod» from the city with the same name.

Chronicle of past:
Basketball club from Nizhny Novgorod has been a participant of VTB United League, like “Astana”, since 2011. During this time, «Nizhny Novgorod» made more than one sensation in the League. In the 2013/2014 season, «Nizhny» sensationally became a silver medalist of VTB United League, when he won three games out of four in the semi-final with “Lietuvos Rytas”, and lost his final with CSKA Moscow. However, the main thing for them was not only the silver medals of the tournament, but also a ticket to Euroleague.

As for personal meetings with «Astana», the teams met on the basketball court 10 times, three of which won «Astana».

Current situation:
In March 2017 the ex-coach Zoran Lukic, one of the authors of the successes of the 2013/2014 season, returned to Nizhny Novgorod. In previous season, he held position of sports director, but at the end of May was declare as new head coach. Also a few young players from the Super League and the VTB United League became part of the team. After a three-year absence, experienced player Vadim Panin returned to Nizhny Novgorod. Ivan Strebkov and Petr Gubanov are still the leaders of Nizhny Novgorod team.

Standings:
Basketball club «Nizhny Novgorod» now in the ninth place of the VTB League standings with the result — 2 wins, 6 losses. «Astana» is on the twelfth place, with 2 wins and 8 losses.

Commentary of the head coach:
The results of «Nizhny Novgorod» in European tournaments show their high potential. The team has good «big» players who play well not only under the ring, but also they can be threat from long distances. A good pocket discipline — the main characteristics of our opponent. To succeed in this match, we need to maintain a good level of energy in defense, and also to have organized work in the offense.

Where, when, at what time?
Venue: Republican velotrack «Saryarka»
Time: 15.00 Astana time
Broadcast: VTB United League website, BC «Astana» website, «QazSport» TV channel

«Astana» lose to «Nizhny Novgorod»

06.01.2018, 20:00 Просмотров: 477
Источник: Press service
Автор: Almira Shakhaeva

From the very beginning of the match, it was clear that both teams wanted victory in this game. The first period of the game began quietly. Players of «Astana» began to attack opponents ring from three-point line, and it was quiet successful. In general, the first period was calmly. The equal, calm period ended 18:17, «Astana» ahead. Both teams began second quarter more aggressively. The first half won home team 38:34.

The third period has become one of the most difficult for the players from capital basketball club. «Astana» had made a lot mistakes, the ball refused to hit the target. Players from «Nizhny» used that situation, each of their attack brought points to their account. The last period began with leadership «Nizhny Novgorod» with a score — 46:60. It was all clear in the last quarter. Joint efforts of the «Astana» and the difference in score began to decrease. But other factors step ahead, Ike Udanoh received a fifth personal foul and could not take part in the match. After a couple of minutes, Anthony Clemmons also received a fifth foul and joined Ike Udanoh. This circumstance helped our opponents to win this game.

The match ended 73:85, victory of «Nizhny»

Top Scorers:

Astana: Justin Carter (20 + 7 rebounds), Leonidas Kaselakis (14), Anthony Clemmons (12).
Nizhny Novgorod: Jake Odum (29 + 7 rebounds), Stefan Jelovac (24 + 6 rebounds), Vladimir Veremeenko (9 + 6 rebounds).

Astana head coach Kostas Flevarakis:
– We’re integrating a new player right now, point guard Malcolm Grant. It’s a fairly lengthy, challenging process. We had trouble guarding Jelovac and Odum today and weren’t able to find a solution. We also need to improve our free-throw shooting. This is yet another game where we were worse than our opponent.

Nizhny Novgorod head coach Zoran Lukic:
– This was a huge game! Before the trip to Astana, I said we’d fight to the final second. The team lost a few unexpected games at home and I hope that this win gives us motivation in the future. The most important thing is that you could see some discipline on the court, especially in the 3rd quarter when we showed how a team should play and defend.

The next match «Astana» will play on January 15 at home against the Riga VEF.