Racing Luxembourg overturned a 16-point first-quarter deficit to win 71-63 at Etzella Ettelbruck in the U22 qualification round. Etzella blitzed the opening period 27-11, peaking at 27-9 behind a barrage from deep: Lou Clees hit the game's first triple and captain Marvin Delgado dos Santos caught fire. Coach Gavin Love's team doubled down after the break of Q1, and the hosts still led 39-32 at halftime.
The game flipped in the third. Early, Delgado drilled back-to-back threes to restore an eight-point cushion (48-40), but then Angelo Caruso (19 years, 1.87m, ITA) went on a personal tear, scoring seven consecutive Racing points to turn 53-47 into a 54-53 lead. Racing took the quarter 26-16 and entered the fourth up 58-55. A turbulent spell saw both Timothée Lahure (RAC) and Hakim Baba (ETZ) receive disqualifying fouls in Q3.
In the fourth, Uro Nik i's side managed the margin, with Yann Arbogast contributing three timely baskets in the lane and Léo Backes adding a three and steady free throws. Racing's highest lead reached nine (69-60); Etzella answered through another Delgado triple, but Arbogast's last finish sealed it.
Shot profile decided it. Etzella hit 15 three-pointers (Delgado 8, José Miguel Domingos Sanches 4) but managed only seven two-point field goals and four free throws. Racing countered with 25 two-pointers and 12 made free throws, owning the paint and the stripe. Caruso dominated with 34 points (10 twos, 2 threes, 8/8 at the line). Backes added 13, while Arbogast chipped in 6 late.
For Etzella, Delgado led with 27, the 16-year-old guard splashing eight from deep. Domingos Sanches (1.76m) followed with 16. Racing, now top of the table, has won four of its last five. Etzella sits eighth and slides to three straight losses.
(AI generated)