Review of the season - U21 Consolation Tournament
Final result
First phase : 9th seed with 7 wins and 1 loss.
Final result : Quarterfinals - defeated 73-93 in Slovenija (1st seed of the first phase)
Global analysis
After being close to a first unexpected loss against Moldova, with a close score that I still have trouble to understand, we followed that up with 6 more wins, including a convincing one against Russia (84-66).
Sadly, we haven't been able to stay undefeated because of a close loss against Turkey (101-103).
We then ended at the 9th seed and started with a confrontation against France, which simply was the worse 16th finals possible for us. Indeed, to me they were one of the 5 most dominant teams in the tournament and had a bad seed only because of an accidental forfeit against Eesti. But we managed to defeat them 78-62 thanks to the HCA and our huge team spirit.
Then we faced Chile, there again a real bad matchup given they had the HCA just because of a single point in the first phase... Also, given they're not an european team, they were able to use a lot of TS in order to get the HCA for next season's Ameircan Tournament. Therefore, I had to take a lot of risks in order to keep a good TS for the next rounds and we ended with a convincing win 96-84 thanks to the 2-3 and the good double game day preparation.
Finally, we had to travel to Slovenia, which convincingly earned the first seed of the qualification phase. As I told you days ago, I might have made tactical mistakes but Slovenia was just too good for us : better players, better game shapes, great TS and HCA... Leading to a defeat 73-93.
So, what is there to conclude ?
I'd say I'm still mad at myself considering I took too much risk defensively against Turkey, which apparently wasn't needed. We could have ended at the 5th seed, giving us probably an easier path to the final rounds. But still, we would have lost the HCA after only 2 rounds.
Truth is, we had a strong team but not one of the best. We should have been extremely lucky, like Portugal for example, facing only really weak teams in the first round to then hope for a top 4 seed and benefit from HCA until semifinals at least.
It's a real disappointment not to win this tournament. But if one day we want to get HCA for the European Tournament, then maybe we still lack some dominant players.
Good thing is we continue to climb up the world ranking ladder, starting the season as 35th and being now 24th. It's even better than what I targeted in the beginning of the season.
Season rewards
First team :
PG : Taskin Enginer (15,5pts at 48% 4,5rbd 5,4ast - 3 MVP trophies)
SG : Rüzgar Nehir (14,0pts at 52% 2,8rbd 2,8ast - 1 MVP trophy)
SF : Metodi Yotzov (13,4pts at 50% 11,3rbd 1,6ast - 3 MVP trophies)
PF : Nedim Göksu (12,0pts at 50% 6,9rbd 1,6ast - 1 MVP trophy)
C : Stoyan Kenarov (5,4pts at 37% 9,5rbd 1,0ast)
6th man : Svetoslav Mengov (8,5pts at 45% 7,8rbd 1,2ast)
MVP : Metodi Yotzov
Even though Enginer posted better stats, Yotzov was more dominant in the last rounds, thanks to a great game shape. Also, he faced a bigger internal competition with Kenarov, Göksu and Mengov with didn't offer him a starting spot each game or forced him to play SF, which wasn't his best spot.
What's next
I've scouted our prospects from 18 to 20yo. So far, it looks like the two next seasons will not be easier than the two seasons we just spent together. We still lack deepness in our roster and also some real dominant players.
But have come nice players that you'll be able to follow from now on, starting with a scrimmage monday against England U20, another country eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Consolation Tournament.
I'm looking forward to your feedbacks.
Again, if one of you wants to join me, he will be very welcomed. I need help with communication and training follow-up. There are things to do with training if we want to b