The Russian Junior National Team completed the qualification round of the 2004 European Championships by taking first place in group A. In the final game the Russians beat Israel 77-65. A key player for our team was Nikita Shabalkin. The Army forward scored 32 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, picked up two steals and one blocked shot in 34 minutes on the floor. Another Army player - Nikita Kurbanov - had five points, eight rebounds and two steals in 12 minutes.
A day earlyer the Russian team blew out the Cyprus team 86-55. Shabalkin had nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots in 20 minutes of play. Kurbanov had two points and four rebounds in 11 minutes.
The semifinal round of the 2004 EC will be held next spring.
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