Dramatic win for Levski over Rilski Sportist in Eurohold Balkan League

Levski and Rilski Sportist met for the sixth time since the start of the season. After both teams exchanged two friendly games in the preseason, both temas played two games in domestic National League and once in Eurohold Balkan League. Beside today’s game Rilski Sportist and Levski will face each other two more times in NBL and most likely in the semifinal of Cup of Bulgaria. Levski won today by 75-73 in rematch of the game in Group B of Eurohold Balkan League. That was their third victory in the regional competition and after this succsess they moved up to second place. Rilski Sportist continue to lead with 5 wins from 7 games played. Team from Samokov already secured place in the next round but now they will fight for better place and easier opponent in the playoffs. For Levski this win was very important as they are still fighting to reach the postseason.

As both teams had not much secrets, they played pretty even first quarter. In those opening 10 minutes they exchanged the lead few times before visitors to grab one point lead at the end – 20-21.

Marcus Hall, who managed his first career triple doble over the weekend scored his first basket in minute 14 of the game as Levski took the 29-27 lead. The visitors responded with 9-0 series and were up 36-29 couple minutes later. Until the half time break Rilski Sportist held that advantage and had 41-35 lead.
 
By that time only Stefan Georgiev was at good level and managed 13 points and 6 rebounds while Hall was held to only 4 first half points. On the other side Dragoslav Papic showed his great form as he scored 10 points until the break, Ivan Lilov had 9 while Travis Petereson (9 rebounds by that time) and Aleksandar Gruev were with 8 points apiece.

Levski had some problems from the long distance shooting (2 of 10) and from the free throw line as well (7 of 13). Rilski Sportist also weren’t great from the charity stripe (5 of 11) but were little better behind the arc as they scored 5 shots from that distance.

Peterson grabbed a rebound in minute 23 to get his double double in 23rd minute of the game (10 points and 10 rebs) while his team controlled the situation in “Hristo Botev” Hall in Sofia. The players of head coach Aleksandar Todorov led until 3.21 before the end of third quarter when Levski even up the score at 50 points each. However new 3-point shots by Papic and Mirkovic and old fashioned three point basket by Peterson put the visitors up 54-59. Levski managed three baskets on their own for 60-59 but Peterson scored his 14 point of the game from the free throw line to tied the score at 60.
 

Last quarter also started with successful 3-point shot by Papic but mostly thanks to Georgiev brothers Levski came back on top. Morton dunk the ball for 74-70 minute and 24 seconds before the end but Mirkovic with his second 3-pointer of the game cut the distance to single point with 41 seconds to go. Hall made a turnover while Papic missed to punish it and Zlatin Georgiev was fouled 12 seconds before to final whistle. He scored one of the two shots to bring the score up to 75-73, Rilski Sportist had the opportunity but Papic turn the ball over and the game clock expired.
 

Great game for Levski had Stefan Georgiev as he captured his third double double in Eurohold Balkan League – 23 points and 14 rebounds. Morton also had double double performance with 16 points and 10 boards.

Hall finished with only 8 points but he added 6 rebounds and 6 assists. He also missed all of his 7 shots from downtown while his teammates Slaveykov and Velikov also couldn’t managed to score from that distance (both 0 of 4). However Slaveykov ended with 16 points.

Papic scored 19 points for Rilski Sportist while Peterson had 16 points and 12 rebounds at the end. Beside that he blocked 3 shots. Duo of guards Mirkovic (12) and Lilov (13) combined for 25 points.
 

Until the end of regular season in this competition Rilski Sportist has only one game away versus Fersped Rabotnicki on February 18. Win in Skopje will guarantee them first place and easier opponent in the playoffs.

Levski also has to visit the same opponent in Skopje on February 11 but also will travel to Bucharest to face Dinamo in the last game of the regular season. They are one win away of reaching the quarterfinals. However two wins will gave them better place in the final standing.