Sparta Bertrange edged Gréngewald Hueschtert 77-70 in Oberanven/Central after flipping the game with a dominant third quarter. Gréngewald started better, up 18-16 after 10 minutes and 36-32 at halftime, paced by Linus Schumacher (GRE) and Valentin Maggi (Season PPG: 9.38). Sparta stayed in touch through Gaspard Thorel Lesselin's free throws and Georgios Tsaramanidis (Season PPG: 5.56).
The game broke open after the break: Sparta won the third 26-11 and closed it with a 14-0 burst from 47-44 down to 47-58, fueled by Ata Tastekin (Season PPG: 12.13), Tsaramanidis, Thandizo Jon Zulu (15, SVN) and Théo Mc Leod (Season PPG: 17.29). During that spell Maggi was whistled for a foul and a technical. Sparta's highest lead reached 11.
Gréngewald made a push in the fourth. Schumacher scored, then Mats Genevaro Van den Biezenbos (Season PPG: 4.20) added a three for 52-58, and the hosts later closed to 70-75 on Juan Santiago Lopez Oderigo (Season PPG: 6.50). Mc Leod sealed it at the line in the final minute for the visitors.
Shot profile told the story: Sparta owned the paint with 31 made two-pointers (vs 22 for GRE) and a slight edge at the stripe (9 FTs to 8), while Gréngewald hit more from deep (6 threes to 2). No player fouled out; Mc Leod received a technical in Q4.
Top performers Sparta: Tastekin 16 (eight 2s), Tsaramanidis 15 (six 2s, one 3), Zulu 14, Mc Leod 10 plus clutch free throws, Ari Marinosson (16, ISL) 10. For Gréngewald: Schumacher 15 (two 3s), Maggi 13, Egidijus Jarukaitis (Season PPG: 10.08) 11, Nicolas François L. Dupong (Season PPG: 8.13) 8, Harik Avanesov (Season PPG: 8.09) 8.
Coach Christian Michael Wulff's group climbs to 3rd (2-1), while Coach Nicolas Saquan Parrish's side is 5th (0-3). Sparta has won two straight; Gréngewald's skid extends to eight.
(AI generated)