NIKE IJT Madrid 2008, report: FMP 65-58 Zalgiris Kaunas
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FMP Zeleznik made a big step towards the 2008 Nike Junior Tournament finals after a 65-58 win over Zalgiris Kaunas in the last game of day 2 in Group B. FMP took the lead from the start, but after the current champs came back, the Serbs made a 7-0 run in the closing minutes to decide the game. Bojan Subotic led the winners with 20 points and 13 rebounds, Dejan Musli added 10 with nine rebound in addition to two blocks. 1992 born Vytenis Cizauskas scored 19 and Donatas Motiejunas added 14 with nine rebounds.
Zalgiris, the reigning champion, and FMP knew this game will play a big role in deciding which will advance to the finals, and the intensity on the floor matched the scenario. Both teams played tough defense and fought for every basket and possession, and the first quarter told what will happen in the future. Zalgiris scored only seven points in the first eight minutes, and saw FMP take a 19-11 after 10 minutes. With two rosters loaded with so much talent it was clear Zalgiris won't stay so far for long. Of all players it was the young Cizauskas who carried Zalgiris back in the game, and Motiejunas completed the come back to 31-29 before Stamenkovic set the half time score with a close range jumper. Musli put FMP up by three before Zalgiris hit with a 1-10 run and the big momentum on its side capped by another big bucket by Motiejunas. Petrovic closed the third quarter with five years in a row to make it 45-46. The teams stayed close for five more minutes, before Slezas set a 55-55 tie, and following was 7-0 FMP run led by Musli and Subotic. Zalgiris found the way to add only three more points till the buzzer, and ended up with its first loss of the tournament.
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