VIBBALL Echternach (VBE) defeated Sparta Bertrange (SPA) 58-45 in the M-Coupe des Jeunes 1/16 finales at schoolint2, building the win on a dominant third quarter and balanced inside-out scoring.
After trailing 6-10 in the first, VBE closed the opening period with a 12-2 run to lead 18-12, sparked by Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (17, ESP) from the line and beyond the arc, and strong finishes from Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (14, ESP). The second quarter stayed tight (10-9), with Michel Ange stringing together six consecutive points for VBE, including his second triple, to send Echternach to halftime up 28-21.
Early in the third, Diego Maestro Varillas (16, GBR) briefly lifted SPA with five points in a row to 30-26, but Frederik Jensen (16, DEU) answered with two free throws and triggered the game's key sequence: a 17-2 Echternach surge. Benjamin, Alexandru-Catalin Vlad (17, 1.92m, ROU), Michel Ange and Gustaw Karwacki (14) all contributed as the lead peaked at +19 (47-28). SPA took the fourth 15-11, with Nikolaos Papanikolaou (16, GRC) hitting a three and captain Ata Tastekin (16, 1.91m, TUR) scoring back-to-back baskets, but the gap remained in double figures.
Top performers
- VBE: Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (17, ESP) poured in 25 points (6x2P, 3x3P, 4x1P), Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (14, ESP) added 17 (8x2P, 1x1P), and Frederik Jensen (16, DEU) had 8.
- SPA: Ata Tastekin (16, 1.91m, TUR) scored 12 (6x2P), Jorge Leocadio Botelho (16, PRT) 11, including an early 8-point burst, and Diego Maestro Varillas (16, GBR) 9.
Team scoring profile: VBE made 20 two-pointers, 3 triples (all by Michel Ange) and 9 free throws; SPA replied with 17 twos, 2 triples and 5 free throws. Coach VASS Ildiko's side controlled the middle stretch; FERREIRA Elton Jorge's team rallied late but could not erase the third-quarter damage. Echternach advances to the next round.
(AI generated)