Sparta Bertrange edged Etzella Ettelbruck 83-78 at atert/central (245 spectators) in the M-ENOVOS LEAGUE qualification round. Notably, Sparta fielded two professional players while Etzella had one, a factor in overall balance of power.
Game evolution
- Sparta controlled the first half: 19-12 after Q1 and a dominant 27-15 in Q2 for 46-27 at halftime, built on the inside duo of Jarvis Williams (36, 1.98m, USA) and Gregory Mays (32, 2.05m, USA). An unsportsmanlike foul (U2) on Mays and a C1 technical on coach Gavin Love did not change the rhythm.
- Etzella reacted with a 26-15 third quarter, driven by Thomas Henkel (16 pts, 4/10 3P) and Adrian Delph (25, 1.95m, USA; 20 pts), trimming to 61-53.
- In the fourth, Frédéric Gutenkauf hit five points in a row to tie it at 69-69, and Delph's three briefly put Etzella ahead 74-73. Sparta answered: Williams scored inside for 75-74 and 77-74, then closed the game with six consecutive free throws in the final minutes. Sparta are the game winners in a close finish.
Shooting
Sparta's 2P 55% and FT 85% were good by the given benchmarks; 3P 26% lagged. Etzella had good FT (79%) but struggled from 2P (46%) and 3P (29%). The hosts' efficiency inside proved decisive.
Players
- Imports (Sparta): Williams delivered an MVP line (34 pts, 11 reb, 3 ast, 8/8 FT - excellent), playing the full 40 minutes. Mays added 17 pts, 10 reb, 5 stl and 2 blk.
- Locals (Sparta): Max Logelin chipped in 10 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast; Yannick Verbeelen scored 10 with two threes.
- Imports (Etzella): Delph led with 20 pts and key second-half buckets; Billy Ray Mc Daniel Jr controlled the glass (8 pts, 14 reb).
- Locals (Etzella): Philippe Gutenkauf had 14, including the fourth-quarter burst. Eric Zenners (9 pts) fouled out in Q3 after a T1 and multiple personals, hurting the interior rotation.
Sparta's win extends their series to four victories in a row. Coach Karl Abou Khalil's side managed the crisis moments better, especially after the 69-69 tie, while Etzella's late push fell just short.
(AI generated)