On the fifth game of the semifinal there were many people in the sportcentrum. If we had a chandelier, people would have hung ont hat. Those, who stayed outside, they could follow the game on a huge projector. The first points were scored by Péter Lóránt from middle-far, then came 2 minutes without points, there were many mistakes on both sides. Shepard could score, on the other side Norbert Tóth scored twice, 4-4. By Ákos Keller we built up a small advantage, however, Darrin Govens equalized, then Keller first scored a slam-dunk, then bagged, 10-6. Both teams were unable to score triple shots, however, Lóránt corrected, on the other side Keller had a good defense and collected the rebounds, we kept our 4-point advantage. The first quarter wa closed by 14-8.
In the sequel, after minutes Edwards scored his penalties, Srecko Sekulovic asked timeout, the head coach of Falco. Shepard scored twice and the result turned to 20-8. Keller changed Farr and quickly gathered two rebounds, Mohammed changed Edwards and scored a triple shot, so did James Farr, 26-12. Govens scored a triple shot, however, his team mates attemps were not strong. Shepard and Mohammed shone, Sekulovic asked timeout again, 3-15. The opponent team got closer with 3 points, Dzunic asked timeout. Zigeranovic and Taylor got the rythm, first one scored from far, last one scored from close. Branislav Dzunic asked timeout again, in the break the projector showed 39-24.
After the swtich Edwards began the third quarter with a tirple shot, Barham scored from close, Edwards scored a triple shot again, the difference increased for 20 points, 49-29, Sekulovic asked timeout. Shepard was unstoppable, we succeed everything, but the opponent team scored nothing. Taylor fought, Szombathely could not get within 20 points. Then Váradi scored a triple shot, but Mohammed scored as well, then Govens scored, the third quarter was closed by 62-44. Earlier Lóránt closed and he asked for checking the video, the judges checked it and decided that the basket is invalid, since it was scored after the bagpipe sounds. The last quarter was begun by Lester Medford, who scored from close, but Mohammed replied to that. Váradi professionally scored a triple shot, they got within 13 points, 64-51. Before they could decrease the difference more, Ákos Keller bagged and Shepard scored a slam-dunk, Sekulovic asked timeout. After Taylor made a burglary he scored and the difference was 20 points again. Váradi scored, so did Zigeranovic. Govens scored a triple, 5 minutes before the end they got within 9 points. Dzunic asked timeout, which was understandable. Lóránt scored a slam-dunk, then Pustahvar scored a triple shot and they got closer, 75-67. Péter Lóránt got his fifth mistake so he had to leave the pitch, Govens scored again, Dzunic asked timeout. Zigeranovic scored from far, which was not successful, Taylor scored his penalties, Edwards gathered rebound, Fehérvár won the game by 78-71 and became champion after 2013, after 4 years. The ceremony started after the game, the home players got the brigthtest medal and then they started to celebrate. First in the sportcentrum, then outside, in front of the town hall.
After 4 years in 2017 the champion team is Alba Fehérvár.
The best team of the country.
Alba Fehérvár – Falco-Vulcano Energia KC Szombathely 78-71 (14-8, 25-16, 20-23, 16-27)
Székesfehérvár, Alba Regia Sportcentrum, 3000 spectators, led by: Földházi T., Cziffra Cs., Papp P. (Hartyáni Zs.)
Alba Fehérvár: Taylor 10/3, Mohammed 15/3, Shepard 18, Lóránt 8, Keller Á. 9, Changes: Edwards 13/6, Markovic -, Farr 5/3, Keller I. -, Head Coach: Branislav Dzunic
Falco KC: Govens 20/3, Váradi 12/6, Barham 5/3, Pustahvar 7/3, Tóth N. 4, Changes: Zigeranovic 11, Medford 10/3. Bognár 2, Simon -., Head Coach: Srecko Sekulovic
Fell out: Lóránt (37. minute)
The result of the semifinal: 3-2 for Alba Fehérvár.
Translated by: Dóri Polczer