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The only group without a dominant 6-0 team is pool B. And what a dramatic matches were played there yesterday- losses for both 5-0 teams (Nederland in consecutive overtime) and now it's all up to last round. 4 teams have theoretical chance for top 2 and no team is secure.

Pool A:
1.Italia(1) 6-0 681 496
2.Hrvatska(3) 5-1 702 569
3.Türkiye(2) 5-1 686 566
4.Bulgaria(5) 3-3 642 605
5.Belarus(7) 3-3 676 657
6.Latvija(4) 2-4 700 678
7.Norge(6) 0-6 488 599
8.Luxembourg(8) 0-6 499 904

Italia 109 Latvija 96
Italia put up a good rebounding rating while using their 3-2 defense. They also put up a wondrous(low) inside scoring rating. They fully dominated Latvija and if Latvija hadn't used more ffort this one could of been real ugly. Good win for Italia as it basically secures them a spot in the next round. POTG: Ruggero Marsili had 28 points, 11 rebounds and a 19.0 rating in this one.

Hrvtaksa 95 Turkiye 104
Nothing really sticks out in this game, it was a fairly average NT game. Turkiye did manage to put up some good ratings, but overall nothing to special. It was a huge win for Turkiye though as it keeps their hopes alive. Theyll still need to win their next game, but this win was still monumental. POTG: Fadil Akdiken had a game high 34 points, 6 rebounds and a 17.0 rating.

Bulgaria 93 Norge 74
Both teams put up some impressive ratings, but Bulgaria pulled out the sound victory and are now 3-3 and in the 4 spot right now. Norge lost again and it has just not been their tournament as they drop to 0-6. POTG: Marin Kanchev had a team high 19 points, a game high 17 rebounds and a game high 19.0 rating.

Belarus 148 Luxembourg 89
Belarus were given the free win of the week and they really crushed Luxembourg, by scoring 30+ points in each quarter and 38 points in three of the quarters. Belarus are now 3-3 and battling for that 4th position. POTG: Alhierd Laurynkovich had a team high 30 points, a game high 20 rebounds and a 16.5 rating.

My predictions:
Luxembourg(96) at Norge(69)
Both teams are 0-6. Two teams walk in with no losses, but only one will walk out with a win and a good way to end their tournament. Both teams will CT, they have nothing to lose and a win is just what they need. My pick: Norge. It's not really how good Norge is, it's more how bad Luxembourg is.

Belarus(42) at Bulgaria(45)
This should be a really really good game, the teams are fairly similiar talent wise, they had fairly similiar GS updates, they both cannot advance so it should be a CT vs CT game and the winner gets fourth in the group. They both look like they'll be going with inside tactics. My pick: Bulgaria. I like them in an inside battle.

Turkiye(39) at Latvija(35)
Turkiye is definetly stronger talent wise, but latvija probably had the better GS update. However Latvija's GS will probably make them go with an inside tactic. This makes it more predictable for Turkiye who need a win. Also Latvija has nothing to lose so you can expect a CT out of them.The question for this game is effort for Turkiye. Do they TIE and hope they can still squeak out a win? Do they play normal and trust that their talent advantage will make up for the effort difference? Or do they straight up CT them back? My pick: If Turkiye Normals or CT's then I think they'll win, if the TIE, then Latvija should win.

Hrvatska(24) at Italia(19)
Both teams had good GS updates, especially Italia who had a great GS update. Mijo Topic is still at awful GS for Hrvatska which sucks, cause they really could of used him in this one. Anyways, Italia has the talent advantage and HCA. This is a huge game. If Turkiye beats Latvija and Hrvatska beats Italia then all three teams are 6-1 and it goes down to PD. Also choosing what effort to use at this point is tough, I think both teams will Normal, but Italia could TIE... My pick: Italia, unless it is a TIE vs CT game, Italia will win this one and advance.

1.Schweiz(1) 5-1 672 528
2.Eesti(2) 5-1 686 581
3.Nederland(3) 5-1 711 616
4.Hellas(5) 4-2 623 572
5.Rossiya(4) 2-4 601 649
6.Bosna i Hercegovina(6) 1-5 598 629
7.Shqipëria(7) 1-5 559 692
8.Malta(8) 1-5 519 702

Schweiz 92 Eesti 99
With the help of extra effort and a wondrous(high) inside scoring rating, Eesti pulled out a win over Schweiz to drop Schweiz to 5-1 and improve their own record to 5-1. Schweiz got off to a good start and held a halftime lead. Eesti's coach had a heartfelt, emotional halftime speech and Eesti pulled themselves together and took over the game in the 3rd quarter. POTG: Mart Raud had 18 points, a team high 12 rebounds and an 18.0 rating.

Nederland 100 Hellas 110
Hellas used more effort and it paid off as they pulled this one out in OT. This game dropped Nederland to 5-1 and improved Hellas to 4-2. Nederland joins three teams at the top of this pool with identical ratings and Hellas, gives themselves, very slim chances at advancing. POTG: Konstantinos Filipakopoulos had 19 points, 6 rebounds, a team high 4 assists and a game high 18.0 rating.

Bosnia i Hercegovina 90 Rossiya 98
Rossiya had a slow start, but quickly put that behind them as they charged forward for the win. This puts Rossiya ahead of Bosnia i Hercegovina for the number 5 spot and drops Bosnia i Hercegovina to 1-5 with two other teams trying to stay out of the basement. POTG: Grigory Chupyatov had a game high 34 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and a 15.5 rating.

Shqiperia 97 Malta 114
There were some pretty absimal ratings being posted in this one, but in the end Malta's CT against Shqiperia's TIE was the difference and Malta walks away with their first win. Both teams are now 1-5 and have the same record as Bosnia i Hercegovina battling for that fifth spot. POTG: Gavin Vassallo had a game high 34 points, a team high 4 assists and a game high 15.5 rating.

My predictions:
Malta(85) at Rossiya(56)
Rossiya has some injuries and not a very good GS update, but their talent advantage and their inevitable use of a CT in this one is definetly enough. If Rossiya wins they will secure the fifth spot. Both teams will CT so Rossiya's talent advantage is the edge they need. My pick: Rossiya.

Shqiperia(62) at Bosnia i Hercegovina(53)
Bosnia i Hercegovina has the talent and GS advantage. Both teams will CT as both teams have identical 1-5 records and are battling for position. My pick: Bosnia i Hercegovina should come out victorious.

Hellas(48) at Eesti(27)
If Hellas wins this game then they could advance based on PD. This makes this game the biggest game of the tournament for Hellas. It is going to be a tough assignment for Hellas though. They will most certaintly CT, but Eesti may CT as well. Eesti has the talent advantage especially down low and Hellas had a normal GS update and Eesti had an above average GS update. My pick: Hellas comes up just short and goes home in 4th.

Nederland(25) at Schweiz(2)
The winner of this game advances and the loser must hope that Hellas wins, but that their PD is better. This is basically a win or go home situation for these teams. Schweiz is the stronger team, but probably had a slightly worse GS update. Nederland really needs this win and I definetly see a CT from them. The question is whether or not Schweiz CT's. If Schweiz Ct's it is an easy win for them. If they normal I can still easily see them winning. If they TIE, I think Nederland can pull it off. My pick: Schweiz and Nederland will go home in third.

Pool C:
1.Deutschland(1) 6-0 669 523
2.France(2) 5-1 685 535
3.Ceska Rep.(4) 4-2 654 572
4.Makedonija(5) 4-2 638 619
5.Slovenija(3) 2-4 598 636
6.Cyprus(6) 2-4 607 649
7.Cymru(7) 1-5 593 742
8.Andorra(8) 0-6 571 739

France 65 Ceska Rep. 78
France probably had slightly better ratings then Ceska Rep., but Ceska Rep. won with the extra effort. The win was hugh for Ceska Rep. as it kept their chances and Makedonija's chances at advancing to the next round. POTG: Ervin Kubes had a team high 15 points, a game high 13 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Deutschland 103 Makedonija 82
Makedonija CT'd and Deutschland TIE'd but that still wasn't enough to beat Deutschland. Deutschland put up some real good ratings for a TIE. Makedonija's loss makes it difficult for them to advance, but possible. Deutschland has secured a spot and now its up to 1st or 2nd. POTG: Patrick Dachsbau a game high 28 points, a game high 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and an 18.0 rating.

Slovenija 113 Andorra 99
Andorra used more effort and still came up short. Slovenija is now battling for the number 5 spot. Andorra got off to a good start, but Slovenija was able to take over. POTG: Kristijan Kropivnik had 14 points, 12 rebounds and a 16.5 rating.

Cyprus 115 Cymru 122
Cymru put more into this game and won giving them their first win of the tournament. The game was close and Cymru was only up 2 heading into the fourth, but the lack of defense in the 4th quarter resulted in a 44-39 quarter victory for Cymru. POTG: Steve Munasinghe had a game high 28 points, a game high 9 assists, and a 15.0 rating.

My predictions:
Cymru(83) at Andorra(72)
I know I chose Andorra to be last in this pool after the first six games, my mind has been changed and I think Cymru is the weaker team. Both teams will CT and both teams are coming off using extra effort. My pick: Andorra.

Cyprus(58) at Slovenija(54)
Both teams are 2-4 and fighting for the 5th position. Both teams used less effort in their previous games and both teams should CT. GS wise they are similiar and talent wise I'd have to give it to Slovenija. My pick: Slovenija.

Makdeonija(31) at Ceska Rep.(29)
Both teams had pretty good GS updates, although I think Makedonija had a better one. Both teams are similiar talent wise although I think I might have to put Makedonija ahead. Ceska Rep. used more effort then their opponent last game, but Makedonija CT'd in their last game. Both teams are 4-2 and need a win and a France loss, plus the PD advantage to advance. My pick: Makedonija, Ceska Rep. very well could've CT'd although I don't think they did, but I still choose Makedonija.

Deutschland(16) at France(3)
Deutschland has already locked up a spot and I think they will probably TIE because of it. If France wins their in, if they lose they might still be in, but they'll be dependant on PD. Simple as that. Deutschland has the better GS update and the better talent. My pick: France could very easily CT, but I think Deutschland will surely TIE.

2 comments:
1) expect TIE-TIE for Deutschland vs. France. Deutschland has no reason to play anything else than TIE and France has 72 advantage in PD to Ceska rep. and 131 to Makedonija. There is almost no chance that France would lost 2nd rank on PD even if they lost to Deutschland
2) I expect quite an easy win of Ceska Rep. vs. Makedonija. As you wrote, they break their enthusiasm by CT last week.

2 comments:
1) expect TIE-TIE for Deutschland vs. France. Deutschland has no reason to play anything else than TIE and France has 72 advantage in PD to Ceska rep. and 131 to Makedonija. There is almost no chance that France would lost 2nd rank on PD even if they lost to Deutschland
2) I expect quite an easy win of Ceska Rep. vs. Makedonija. As you wrote, they break their enthusiasm by CT last week.

hehe now we know that France played TIE :) i could imagine that you played a Ct vs normal, too.

And good luck for your last game, and for the mission impossible.

No need to hide facts at the moment. It's important just for France and their coach knows what I played. Anyway, I can be just fooling ;-)

yes for us is it pretty equal, we would TIE anyway as you said.

A win would be nice, but our best lineup would be the same against 5 or 13 enthusiam ;)

Pool D:
1.Lietuva(1) 6-0 697 551
2.Israel(4) 5-1 683 594
3.Magyarország(2) 4-2 723 593
4.Suomi(3) 4-2 735 667
5.România(5) 2-4 752 772
6.Sverige(6) 1-5 605 661
7.Azərbaycan(7) 1-5 594 759
8.Ireland(8) 1-5 552 744

Magyarorszag 110 Suomi 113
Suomi put in extra effort and it paid off as they pulled off the win and kept their slim hopes at advancing to the 2nd round alive. Suomi had some very impressive ratings in this one including a marvelous(low) inside scoring rating. Magyarorszag held a 3 point lead at half, but Suomi came together and took the wn. POTG: Ove Petttersson had 25 points on 11-12 sooting, 8rebounds and a 17.5 rating.

Lietuva 99 Israel 83
In the battle of the two undefeated teams, Lietuva came away with the win and secured a spot in the 2nd round. Israel's loss coupled with their PD means that their next game will most likely be a must win. Both teams used the same effort level and both teams ran outside tactics, but Lietuva was just to strong. POTG: Aristotelis Degulys had a game high 22 points, a game high 6 assists, and a 19.0 rating.

Romania 129 Ireland 112
Both teams used the same effort and Romania came through with the impressive ratings. Their marvelous(high) inside scoring rating helped them to score 30+ points in each quarter. The win for Romania gives them outright control of 5th place and look strong while Ireland is still i the basement. POTG: Ovidiu Popescu had 29 points, a team high 12 rebounds, 4 assists and a 15.5 rating.

Sverige 109 Azerbaycan 94
Sverige got their first win of the tournament and it came in a CT vs TIE game, where they were the team TIEing. azerbaycan has some pretty bad ratings, but they aren't a very strong team. POTG: Nicolai Holerberg had a game high 30 points, 4 rebounds and a 17.0 rating.

My predictions:
Azerbaycan(80) at Ireland(73)
Talent wise these teams are similiar. GS wise I think Azerbaycan had a slightly better GS update, especially down low. Expect an inside battle. These teams are both trying to finish out of the basement and a win will assure that, so expect both teams to CT. My pick: Azerbaycan.

Sverige(64) at Romania(46)
Sverige is 1-5, Romania is 2-4. The winner of this game will probably be 5th. Expect both teams to CT as they have nothing else to play for. Sverige is weaker GSwise and talentwise. My pick: Romania.

Israel(34) at Suomi(33)
If israel wis they are in. If they lose they'll need some things to go their way in order to advance. Suomi needs to win and have Lietuva beat Magyarorszag AND end up having a better PD then Israel to advance. Suomi's GS update makes them a huge threat down low and Suomi looks stronger then Israel this week. I think Suomi will CT and Israel will need to CT to win I think. My pick: Suomi.

Lietuva(15) at Magyarorszag(5)
Magyarorszag needs a win and an Israel loss, plus a better PD then Israel to advance. Lietuva has already clinched a spot. Lietuva should TIE as they have nothing more to play for. Magyarorszag may thro a CT at Lietuva, but a normal is very possible as well. Lietuva has the stronger team and the better GS update. Magyarorszag's best big man is injured. It is not looking good for Magyarorszag. My pick: I think Magyarorszag will CT and if they do the extra effort should be enough for them to win.

i apologize for not finishing the writeups from a couple weeks ago, but it was a busy weekend :P.

i am just going to do a quick overview of the results of each pool and of the 2nd round.

Pool A:
1.Italia(1) 7-0 800 603
2.Türkiye(2) 6-1 810 671
3.Hrvatska(3) 5-2 809 688
4.Bulgaria(5) 4-3 768 717
5.Belarus(7) 3-4 788 783
6.Latvija(4) 2-5 805 802
7.Norge(6) 1-6 619 687
8.Luxembourg(8) 0-7 587 1035

Well my first ever predictions didn't end up being so wrong. Latvija surprised me, but I got the top three! Anways this group pretty muched played out the way I thought it would and Italia easily went perfect with their HCA and could far. Turkiye is probably one of the best teams to finish 2nd.

Pool B:
1.Eesti(2) 6-1 803 683
2.Nederland(3) 6-1 822 715
3.Schweiz(1) 5-2 771 639
4.Hellas(5) 4-3 725 689
5.Rossiya(4) 3-4 720 740
6.Bosna i Hercegovina(6) 2-5 730 716
7.Shqipëria(7) 1-6 646 824
8.Malta(8) 1-6 610 821

This group was rattling. A team I picked to make the final four didn't make it out of the first round. The culprit? Nederland. They earned it however. While this was happening, Eesti snuck around and finished first losing only once along the way. nederland used alot of effort the last few games though and I am not sure if there is an enthusiasm rest or not, could someone confirm that for me? I don't think either of the two teams advancing, nederland and Eesti, will make the final four, but they'll be strong.

Pool C:
1.France(2) 6-1 773 618
2.Deutschland(1) 6-1 752 611
3.Ceska Rep.(4) 5-2 772 658
4.Makedonija(5) 4-3 724 737
5.Slovenija(3) 3-4 700 722
6.Cyprus(6) 2-5 693 751
7.Andorra(8) 1-6 666 814
8.Cymru(7) 1-6 668 837

France was able to beat Deutschland and claim first, but as long as they both make it, it doesn't really matter. I see them both going real far. I actually got the last place team wrong, odd. Makedonija got off to a hot start, but fizzled at the end. Slovenija really disappointed.

Pool D:
1.Lietuva(1) 6-1 771 639
2.Israel(4) 6-1 792 678
3.Magyarország(2) 5-2 811 667
4.Suomi(3) 4-3 819 776
5.Sverige(6) 2-5 746 775
6.România(5) 2-5 866 913
7.Azərbaycan(7) 2-5 691 843
8.Ireland(8) 1-6 636 841

Lietuva was no surprise, but Israel was rather shocking. I thought Magyarorszag was going to make it for sure. However, you can't deny Israel's worthiness to advance. They probably won''t last very long in the 2nd round, but it is definetly an accomplishment. Israel moved up and Magyarorszag and Suomi slid down, everything else was pretty straight forward, no other surprises here.

Pool E:
1.España(1) 6-1 804 653
2.Poland(3) 6-1 757 625
3.Srbija(2) 5-2 785 719
4.Sakartvelo(6) 3-4 638 651
5.Crna Gora(5) 3-4 764 784
6.Österreich(7) 2-5 697 722
7.England(4) 2-5 703 799
8.Hayastan(8) 1-6 599 794

Poland beat out Srbija for the final spot and it isn't that surprising. I had a toughtime picking between Srbija and Poland and Poland pulled it out. Espana took first with only one loss. Two surprises in this group. England dropping to seventh and Sakartvelo improving to fourth. I never would of guessed that! England stunned Srbija in the opener and it really is basically the reason that Srbija did not advance. Sakartvelo stealthily took fourth from Crna Gora and Osterreich.