Arantia Larochette edged Sparta Bertrange 102-98 in a high-scoring M-U22 opener that swung wildly after the break. Arantia, guided by coach Karolis Abramavicius, dominated the first half 52-27 and built the largest lead at 54-27 early in the third. Sparta coach Karl Abou Khalil's side then ignited a huge response (13-25 in Q3; 37-46 in Q4), fueled by Theo Mc Leod (31) and the long-range accuracy of Max Hagen (25, six triples) with support from Tom Germeaux (24).
Arantia's inside punch proved decisive: 35 made two-pointers and 17 free throws. Noe Tibold (31, 1.98m) was relentless, including three consecutive baskets in Q2 that stretched the gap, while captain Edson Rafael De Sousa Silva (22, 1.88m, PRT) and Oleksandr Senchenko (18) carried the late offense. After Sparta briefly went ahead 89-90 on a Hagen three, Arantia answered: Senchenko's triple put them back in front (92-90), Tibold added a 2+1 (95-92), and De Sousa Silva sealed it down the stretch (from 97-96 to 102-96). A late Sparta bucket was adjusted to two after a scoring correction for the final 102-98.
Key notes: Genoud (ARA) fouled out in the fourth; Hagen committed an unsportsmanlike foul in Q3. In the table, Arantia sit 3rd (2 pts), Sparta 4th (1 pt).
(AI generated)
Arantia Larochette 
Sparta Bertrange 
