On Wednesday night, in an unforgettable atmosphere created by its fans at the Youth and Sports Center, Sigal Prishtina has defeated Astana from Kazakhstan 75:72 in the round 2 of Group K of the FIBA Europe Cup. This was Prishtina’s first victory in European competition, after their loss in their debut game, where they were defeated by Energia, from Targu Jiu, Romania.
The game was interesting with many turning points and the rivalry was at the highest level. Dardan Berisha was leading in this duel as well. In the 8th minute of the game, Astana was leading by 8 points (10:18), but in the 11th minute Prishtina managed to tie the result (21:21). The champions of Kosovo and Balkan League managed to create a seven point lead in the 15th minute of the game (31:23). The first half ended with a 5 point lead for Astana (35:40), whereas the second half of the game was a real drama, and kept the fans on their toes up until the last second. In the 23rd minute of the game, Astana was leading 39:47 and in the 34th minute the result was once again a tie 64:64. In the 37th minute the hosts were leading by 3 points (71:68), while the guests very quick scored 2 points and the result was once again a tie 71:71. From that moment on the game was in Prishtina’s hands and the game ended 75:72.
Marjan Ilievski, Head Coach of Sigal Prishtina: “In this game the team played with their heart. All of the players were successful; the ones that played as well as the ones that didn’t play had a great part in this success. I am very pleased with this victory, since we won a very important game for Prishtina, for Kosovo and the entire basketball of Kosovo.”
Ramunas Butautas, Head Coach of Astana: “We started slow but managed to take control of the game later. However, we made a lot of rookie mistakes, in defense as well as in offense, and that cost us the game. Also, in the fourth quarter the players started to get tired and Prishtina used that in their advantage. I congratulate them on their victory and wish them success in next games.”
Prishtina’s next game in the FIBA Europe Cup will take place on November 11th, against AEK Larnaca, in Cyprus.
Sigal Prishtina-Astana 75:73 (17:20,18:20, 16:12, 24:21)
Youth and Sports Center, Prishtina.
Spectators: 2500.
Sigal Prishtina: Kaçaniku, Azemi 13, Fall, Chekovski 5, Berisha 24, Mohammed, Sinani, Marinov 4, Morina 2, Abukar 8, El-Amin 19, Mazreku.
Astana: Hayes 34, Ilin 9, Ponomarev 1, Calathes 5, Yargaliyev 5, Zhigulin, Zhukanenko 8, Caner-Medley 4, Kolesnikov 7, Kemp.
Group K
AEK –Energia 71:75
Sigal Prishtina-Astana 75:73