Sparta Bertrange overpowered AB Contern 108-70 in the Championship round (Aller, game 2) at Nikibett/Central, building steadily before sprinting away after halftime. Coach Christian Michael Wulff's group jumped to 12-3 early as Thandizo Jon Zulu strung together three baskets in four trips and Petar Kulisic (13) added interior finishes. The first quarter closed 27-16. Contern responded through Max Welter and Tao Tock, with Alex Wies also chipping in, but Sparta kept the cushion to the break (49-34).
The third quarter decided it. Maximilaan Flechtner (Season PPG: 16.0) took control with 9 points in the period, part of an 18-5 frame that pushed the game to 67-39. Sparta's run featured a 15-2 stretch where Flechtner repeatedly found gaps, helped by Hugo Dubois and Loïc Schmit. Contern's Emil Dostert did earn trips to the line, but it wasn't enough to shift momentum.
Sparta poured in 41 in the fourth. Kulisic (SPA) dominated late with a series of layups, William Scarsbrook and Vasileios Paspaltzis (14, GRC) added perimeter scoring, and the hosts reached their largest lead at +41 (108-67) before Welter closed with a three. Contern's bench was assessed a B1 technical in the final moments.
Top performers: Sparta - Flechtner 23, Kulisic 21, Zulu (Season PPG: 17.29) 14, Paspaltzis 12. Contern - Welter (Season PPG: 6.14) 22 with three triples, Dostert (Season PPG: 27.33) 21 largely from the stripe, Tock 13, Wies 8.
In the standings, Sparta climbs to first (2-0, ranking gain +4, 234-118 point differential), while Contern sits second at 1-1. Coach Ayodele's side showed spurts Welter hit two late threes but Sparta's decisive third-quarter surge and balanced scoring made the difference.
(AI generated)