Racing Luxembourg controlled Sparta Bertrange 86-70 in M-U18 Division 2: Phase 1, moving to 2-0 and the top of the classification, while Sparta slipped to 0-2.
Game evolution
Sparta opened with a Jorge Leocadio Botelho (SPA) three, but Racing replied immediately through Louis Cocard (16, 1.89m) and established rhythm. A late first-quarter burst, driven by three triples from Pete Rajniak (RAC), closed the period on a 7-0 run for 23-13. Early in the second, Racing stretched it to 27-13 before Sparta answered with an 11-0 run sparked by Leocadio Botelho and Nikolaos Papanikolaou (SPA). Hristo Stoikov's team steadied behind Yair Portal Levav (RAC) and Rajniak to rebuild a 44-32 halftime lead.
After the break, Elton Jorge Ferreira's side charged back: Ata Tastekin (16, 1.91m, TUR) scored inside and Papanikolaou hit back-to-back threes for 54-52. Racing responded with Oskar Berger (RAC) and a three-point sequence by Cocard to end the third at 59-52. In the fourth, Julian Klimkowski (RAC) drilled a three and Stefan Stoykov (RAC) strung together five straight points (FTs and a layup). Racing's cushion ballooned to a game-high +19 at 83-64 and never came under threat.
Key players
- Racing: Stoykov 18 (4 FTs, seven 2s), Cocard 17 (two 3s), Berger 14, Rajniak 14 (four 3s), Klimkowski 9. Portal Levav added 10 but carried four fouls; John Berhane Litt (RAC) picked up two quick fouls in the fourth (four total).
- Sparta: Papanikolaou 18 (four 3s, including a personal 6-0 run), Tastekin 13, Leocadio Botelho 10, Tian Kuharic 9, Jules Wurth 7.
Team notes
Racing hit 9 threes and made 9 free throws; Sparta answered with 7 threes and 7 free throws. Racing has opened the campaign with two straight wins; Sparta has dropped its first two.
(AI generated)