Vibball Luxembourg took a close 72-66 road win at BBC Dikrich in this U22 N2 qualification game, and the result also changed the table: VBE moved up to 3rd place (+1), while DIE dropped to 4th (-1). It was also VBE's fourth straight win.
The game turned on momentum swings. Dikrich started well and closed the first quarter on a 6-0 run for an 18-15 lead. Coach Endrit Shala's side then pushed the margin to 30-22 in the second quarter, but Vibball answered with an 8-1 finish to stay right there at 31-30 by halftime.
DIE looked in control again in the third period. Behind captain Ewan Da Silva Jose (Season PPG: 20.10), they built the biggest lead of the night at 50-38. Vibball's response was immediate and important: an 8-0 run cut it to 50-46 entering the last quarter.
The fourth quarter decided everything. Dikrich still led 58-55, but VBE changed the rhythm and produced 7 straight points to go in front 62-58. A late unsportsmanlike foul against Da Silva Jose at 60-62 helped Vibball add to that edge, and the visitors were steadier from the line in the closing sequence.
Da Silva Jose finished with 31 points, matching his season high, and carried much of DIE's offense. Amar Sijaric (Season PPG: 21.08) added 14, including key third-quarter baskets, but his foul trouble lasted all evening and he fouled out late. For Vibball, the 18-year-old Italian Kouami Samuele Dogbonou (Season PPG: 16.58) was decisive with 25 points, many of them in the final quarter. Cassian Matgen (Season PPG: 10.71) added 18, Noah Marian Rudolf (Season PPG: 17.25) had 13, and Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (Season PPG: 11.67) scored 10.
(AI generated)