BK Levickí Patrioti – KK Zlatorog Laško 79:89 (23:21, 18:16, 13:25, 25:27)
Referees: Eger, Vladic, Slijvic (all Austria),
Audience: 300.
Venue: Hallmann Dome, Vienna (AUT)
Levice: Vašl 22, Kurbas 17, Sims 15, Mijovič 9, Diabate 8, Bojanovský 6, Djurič 2.
Laško: Barič, Popovič and Thomas all 18, Durnik 9, Maček 8, Miljkovič 7, Polutak 6, Vodiškar 3, Zadnik 2.
The finals started very slowly, on both sides they were a lot of mistakes. Laško scored first five point of the match, but Levice showed after that their qualities. First quarter brought many changes in the lead, but in the end Patrioti were better. First ten minutes were closed by buzzer beater of Kurbas – 23:21. Second quarter was pretty similar, Levice was still in the lead, they were effective under the rim. After first half they were leading 41:37.
Second half was more intense, the teams added toughness to their battle. Slovenian team has brilliantly ended third quarter, 14:0 run got Laško into 62:54 lead. The guests were on a high note, in few moments their lead was double digit. But Levice did not surrender, seven points in a row made their chances for a win still alive. Laško ended their dreaming too soon, almost everything got into the basket. In the last minutes Patrioti tried to make a run, but Laško didn´t allow dramatic end.
Teo Hojč, coach of Levice: “I think deserved win for Laško. In this match they were better, they played a little bit tougher than us. They made some shots, which we did not. I want to thank my players for reaching finals of AAC, it´s not an easy thing. I want to also thank the fans for reaching long trip. I hope that we did not disappoint them.
Tanel Kurbas, player of Levice: “I think it was classic final game, both teams wanted to win. It was a very physical. After first half we got a small lead, but I do not know what happened in second half. We allow them to score 17:0 run that was deciding. Laško deserved to win, in the end they score crucial shots. But that´s basketball, one team has to win.”
Aleš Pipan, coach of Laško: “We tough game for us, but finals are like that, anything is possible there. I am satisfied with our performance, especially with defense in second half. We also scored open shots and free throws. I think, that we were better team in this match and we deserved to win.”
Nejč Barič, player of Laško: “Typical finals match, on both sides they were a lot of mistakes. We stayed focus till the end, we had good last quarter. That was the difference between us and them in this match.”
