Italian Job
London United participating in the U20 EYBL Tournament in Poland has claimed a big scalp by beating Stellazzura 92-81. The Italian academy which has consistently participated in recent Euroleague Adidas Next Generation tournaments was trailing by several points from the very early stages of the game, unable to deal with United’s pressing defence. The game changed when Stellazzura has switched to zone defence which generated several problems for our young Londoners. With an almost complete lack of inside presence, United had to rely of their outside shooting and penetration. United constantly frustrated on offense became very impatient and allowed the Italians to score easy baskets. United was trailing by 10 points after the interval and the game started to resemble yesterday’s encounter against Hensfort Przemysl where an inability to deal with zone defence cost Londoners the game.
In the second half Coach Szatkowski went for his most trusted weapon-full court press and changed the game. Speed merchants Victor Olarerin and Elias Poorman were able to wreak havoc among Azzura’s guards and create efficient fast breaks. The introduction of Kevinas Kolesnikovas and Davidas Golovcenko has significantly improved United’s firepower in the half-court game. United reduced the deficit to a single point by the end of the third quarter and was ready to deliver a decisive blow in the last quarter of the game. United’s defence became even more ferocious and gradually we started to build a decisive lead. When Golovcenko started finally to dominate the paint and Olarerin and Poorman regained their touch from outside the game became completely out of reach for the Italians and United was able to claim their first victory of our U20 EYBL campaign.
United scorers:
Poorman 22, Olarerin 22, Hines 11, Golovcenko 10, Mills 9, Szczawinski 8, Kolesnikovas 6, Edwards 4, Ivey 2
Hensfort Przemysl-London United 88-120
United scorers:
Poorman 28, Olarerin 21, Kolesnikovas 9, Mills 9, Golovcenko 6, Szczawinski 6, Hines 4, Edwards 3, Ivey 2.
The next competition is 5:30pm (UK time) today, Saturday 18th November 2017 against ROSA Piotrowka Radom. Check our social media links just before tip for the livestream link to follow the action.