Brilliant Bosnia defeats Reggiana: Students top group to reach FIBA Europe Cup quarterfinals

(Patria) - Sarajevo's Bosnia tonight defeated Italian team Pallacanestro Reggiana 85:71 in the final match of the second phase of the FIBA Europe Cup at Zetra, finishing first in Group L and advancing to the quarterfinals of the European competition.

With tonight's triumph, secured in a trench battle against the tough Italian side, the Students avoided Spanish Murcia and paved a significantly more favorable path to the semifinals.



Bosnia had secured a spot among the top eight of the FIBA Europe Cup even before the final round, but the duel with Reggiana decided the first place in the group and the status of group winner.



The first place is especially important because it brings an "easier" opponent and avoids the extremely strong Murcia, which is among the teams with the best results in the second phase of the competition.



Bosnia showed energy from the start and responded to the aggressive play of the Italians, with the key being that in the second quarter they raised the intensity and built a more noticeable lead, which stood at 47:37 at halftime.



In the third quarter, Reggiana threatened and at one point closed to within just two points (53:51), but Bosnia, through a series of free throws and points from Plummer and Kovačević, again pulled ahead to +11 (68:57) heading into the final 10 minutes of the match.



In the final quarter, the Students played composedly and did not allow the Italians to create new drama for the spectators in Zetra. The scoreboard ultimately read 85:71.



It should be noted that Bosnia, under the baton of Muhamed Pašalić, showed tonight that it has both "head" and "tail."



In a brilliant team performance, as many as six Students scored in double figures: Kovačević and Plummer with 14 each, Atić with 12, Caruthers with 11, and Halilović and Joesaar with 10 points each. Young Junior and Zubac added 7 each. Atić also grabbed 12 rebounds, Pero Kovačević 11, and Caruthers 10.



With this victory, as already mentioned, Bosnia finished first in Group L, meaning the Sarajevo side will face Hungary's Szombathely in the quarterfinals.



If you did not watch tonight's match at Zetra live, you can watch the recording via the YouTube link below.

In the table below, see the final standings in Group L.