Great game, tough defeat - plenty of emotions
Yet again a game that reminds why basketball is such an exciting game !!
From the Finnish point of you, that game had everything, except the win - from the point of you of the Gaz Metan Medias (and their fans) it was a nail-biting that ended almost perfectly.
Before we get to the game - it was once again a long day waiting for the evening tip-off, my fourth day in Medias. With the sun shining, I decided to take a longer walk in the town and it seemed like the place had come alive - on the first walk on Saturday evening.. I couldn't have guessed that there were so many shops around (although I am still not sure what all of them sell). Plenty of people around the market area.. nice little walk to break the monotony of hotel life on the road.
Game started at 6pm, so that meant there was no time for Sauna before the game, or dinner - got invited to travel to the game on the team coach, which was nice and saved me from looking for a parking spot near the venue. Everyone in pretty good spirits before the game, but there was that 'waiting feeling' that probably comes around before most games for many teams.
The game...
Opening points go to Kataja and they look comfortable, but Gaz Metan Medias take the quarter from there on Shiloh and Lilov doing the damage as Kataja fail to grab any rebounds under their own basket or at the offensive end of the court. We have a double-digit lead for the home team.. could the game be over so soon? Kataja's big American (Fields) seems to struggle with his movement - but from what I've read from fan forums (yes, the most reliable source of information) he might be carrying an injury??
Second quarter - not much seems to change, Medias can't miss from three point range and end the quarter with almost 70% shooting from down-town. Kataja's response seems to be to hit the iron, only Kanervo giving any long range threat for the visitors - I am very surprised by the shooting of veteran Virtanen.. he doesn't seem to find his range at all. The home team snatch the last two points of the half, which displeases coach Toijala on the sidelines.
Third quarter/Fourth quarter - small signs that Kataja might make a game out of it, they slowly claw away at the lead and soon make it a one-basket-game. But some silly/easy individual mistakes .. I lost count of the times they gave the ball away on a poor pass while on the attack, some baffling passes (looking from the photographer point of view). It almost looked like they were rushed into making the pass and every time there was a Medias player waiting to intercept the pass. Not the way you win close games... Both team trade baskets, but Kataja just fail to get the basket/point that would put them ahead.. you feel that it they were to do it.. it could be the game winning moment.
In the final minute - Kanervo hits a clutch three... Kataja take the lead inside the last minute! Nothing for Medias from their attack, Kanervo to the line for two.. makes one out of two.. Medias behind by two.. quickly up the court.. Shiloh shoots a three from WAYYY DOWNTOWN... WHOOSH!! And that's Medias back in front with only seconds on the clock. You look at the situation - about 4 seconds on the clock, Kataja time-out.. it is possible to make a shot or get fouled..
Once again Medias defend like mad, Kataja inbound the ball.. and it touches no-one as it sails out of bounds. Can't say whether it was the play that was called or what.. but just seemed like a rushed decision in that situation. Medias ball, Kataja foul, free-throws.. tactical miss, Hail Mary by Kataja.. Gaz Metan Medias win the game!
Looking back at it, it was a game like the one in Cyprus for Kataja - one they feel like they should/could have won if they would have played at their own level all through out the game. For Medias, a narrow escape - which gives them hope they might have a say in the group. But winning by such a small margin can be costly as well, if they end at equal points with Kataja in the end??
Crowd!! No matter how often I come to the Eastern European countries, the fans KNOW how to support their teams!!! In the last week or so I have been to three different types of games. Fist was the BBL Cup Final in Birmingham, about 7000 fans watching the game - some noise here and there during the game, but nothing that made the hairs at the back of your neck stand up. Then, the NBA London Live 2013 game at the O2 Arena in London, 17000 fans watching the game - at times you could hear a pin drop, there was sound.. but mainly when someone performed a Slam-Dunk. Then, last but not least - EuroChallenge game in Medias, Romania, about 800 fans (correct me if wrong).. mad noise almost all through out the game, and was really impressed with the way they cheered on their own player after he missed first free-throw out of two.. never seen support like that before!!
Coach ride back to the hotel was a quiet one, some players talking and asking about Shiloh's three pointer and how he shot it. But the general mood was one of disappointment - retire to the hotel room, edit the pictures/videos. Not in the mood for dinner (yes, even I get affected by these defeats, and I am not part of the team). The evening doesn't get any better for me as I watch a stream of Aston Villa vs Bradford in the League Cup (good quality stream of Sky Sports :-)) ..after that game I shut things down.. it just wasn't my day sporting-wise..
Wednesday - long say of waiting/travel, heading back to home for couple of days. Will be nice to get to my own bed, see my wife and have some home cooked food (even if I am the one who does the cooking). On Sunday - it's destination Izmir,Turkey.. as the EuroChallenge tour continues!