These days the Challenge Round of the European Championship for U18 Men is taking place in Greece. Russian team is in the group B with the teams from Greece, Bulgaria, Israel, Portugal and Estonia. The final part of competition will take place in Saragosa, Spain. There are three players of the junior army team are playing there: Nikita Kourbanov, Nikita Shabalkin and Valery Likhodey.
Our team already won three games. In the fist game our national team has defeat Estonian team 95-61. Nikita Kourbanov made double-double this game (14 points + 11 rebounds). Nikita Shabalkin scored 9 points, and Valery Likhodey add 5. In the second game Russian team has defeat the team from Israel: 69-47. This time Shabalkin made double-double (12 points + 16 rebounds). Kourbanov made 9 rebounds and scored 2 points. Likhodey made 2 rebounds and scored 2 points.
Today our team played against the one of the leaders of the group – Bulgarian team. Vladimir Rodionov guys played good in the first half and could hold the winning score till the final buzzer: 79-73. Nikita Shabalkin scored 16 points and made 7 rebounds. Valery Likhodey add 9 points and 5 rebounds. Nikita Kourbanov scored 6 points and 4 rebounds.
Tomorrow Russian team will play against Portugal who today defeat Estonian team 74-66.
18 teams are taking place in challenge round. First 3 teams from each group are guaranteeing to move to the final part of tournament. Also 2 best teams from 4h place will take ticket there too. 12th ticket is already reserved for Spain national team as a host.
VTB Teams:
League&Tournament:
