Lukoil Neftochimic got back the Bulgarian Cup

Lukoil Neftochimic receives the gold medals

26-03-2008 20:53

Lukoil Neftochimic won back the Bulgarian Women's Cup after beating Dunav Econt 82-71 in today’s final at “Arena Samokov”. The two teams were above all others in this year’s edition of the tournament and deservingly reached the final. That was the first collision between them this season as they are also the top contenders for winning the Bulgarian Championship.

The players from Rouse had the initiative only in the opening minutes of the game leaving the impression that they could actually beat the more experienced team from Bourgas. After 7 minutes of play Dunav Econt was leading 15-7 and was fully in control of the game. Near the end of the first and in the beginning of the second quarter Lukoil Neftochimic managed to score 11 consecutive points, taking the lead by 5 points (24-19). From that moment on Petko Marinov’s girls didn’t let their lead slip away until the very end of the game. At the half-time Lukoil Neftochimic had a comfortable 8-point advantage but nothing was clear yet.

After the break the team from Bourgas maintained their lead and after a 9-0 run near the end of the third quarter they even made it bigger getting ahead by 14 points before the final 10 minutes (60-46). The only unpleasant moment for Lukoil Neftochimic in these minutes was when Daniela Georgieva got injured and had to leave the court. She returned to the bench after a while but Petko Marinov decided not to let her in again and she had to watch the rest of the game from there.

Stefan Stefanov’s players gave their best using a full-court press in the closing minutes of the game, but Lukoil Neftochimic confidently preserved their lead and won the cup.

The American Scott scored 5 triples and was the root of her team’s success with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals. So far she had scored only 4 three-pointers in 5 games for Lukoil Neftochimic but today, in the most important game, she was incredible. Slavova also scored some very important baskets finishing with 15 points and 8 rebounds, while Natalia Topalova added 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 blocked shots and 4 assists for the victory. None of them, however, managed to take the MVP honours from Zornitsa Kostova. She finished with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 11 assists for a total index of 28.

For Dunav Econt Svetla Asenova was the top scorer with 20 points and Djambazka finished with 16. The team’s biggest problem in the game was losing the rebounds under the baskets. They had only 24 compared to 33 for their opponents.

With this victory Lukoil Neftochimic wins the Bulgarian Cup for the fifth time in their history (1999, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008), while Dunav Econt had to comfort themselves with the fact that they won the silver medals in their first appearance in the tournament.

FULL STATS FROM THE GAME DUNAV ECONT - LUKOIL NEFTOCHIMIC

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