Late Run Gives Germany Win Over Bulgaria

Bulgaria (U 20)

14-07-2009 17:08

Germany rode 21-8 scoring run over the course of the fourth-quarter to defeat a brave Bulgaria by the final count of 87-71 in the U20 European Championship Women 2009 Qualifying Round.

It was a close game through the first three quarters with Germany leading the way but unable to shake their opponents.

Bulgaria had managed to cut the Germany advantage to just one (66-65) in the opening seconds of the final period. But Germany's size in the paint and deeper bench took control against a Bulgaria that played its three leaders (Daniela Peteva, Stefka Nikolova and Hristina Ivanova) for more than thirty minutes apiece.

Germany lost the rebounding battle in the first half 18-17, but was able to turn the tide in the second and won by the final margin of 41-33 including 18 offensive boards.

"That was critical. In the first half they got the boards and in the second we did. We especially won the offensive boards," said Germany head coach Julia Gajewski.

"We have good rebounders. Against teams like Serbia or France or Spain we are really too small, but today we were tall enough."

Svenja Greunke had 12 of those rebounds to go with a game-high 23 points. Her partner in the post, Julia Trogele, notched 19 points while pulling down 7 rebounds.

Bulgaria was led by Peteva. The shooting guard scored 23 points in the game, but was held to just four in the second half when the Germans changed to mixed zone defense to focus their energizes on her.