Sparta Bertrange overpowered T71 Dudelange 107-60 in the Championship Round opener (Phase 2, round-robin Aller) at grimler/terrain2, setting the tone early and stretching their lead throughout. T71 struck first on a Noah Baseggio triple, but Coach Yann Ewert's group answered through Anton Mercier and Petar Kulisic, finishing the first quarter up 29-20.
Early in the second, Alexander Möller (13, SWE; Season PPG: 15.17) scored back-to-back baskets for 20-33. T71 briefly trimmed it to 28-35 through Charel Krings and Pol Guedes, but Sparta then delivered the decisive push: Kulisic strung together basket after basket, adding two trips at the line, while Mercier kept slashing. Sparta closed the half 61-38 with a 26-10 stretch.
The third quarter removed any doubt. Rafael Ferreira (Season PPG: 19.57) hit at the stripe, Kulisic and Mercier piled up points in transition and half-court, and Sparta's defense forced stops to fuel a long run that ballooned the gap to 93-49 after 30 minutes. In the fourth, Sparta managed the margin; the highest lead hit 50 (57-107) before Guedes' late three. Bora Oner committed two quick fouls in the third, but Sparta's depth absorbed it. Guedes played through foul trouble for T71.
Top performers
- Sparta: Petar Kulisic (Season PPG: 26.83) dominated with 38 points (16 2pt FGs, 6 FTs); Mercier (Season PPG: 14.60) added 23; Ferreira 19; Möller 17.
- T71: Baseggio (Season PPG: 14.80) led with 16; Guedes (Season PPG: 10.33) 14; Ivan Barbic (Season PPG: 10.83) 9; captain Ben Kloos (Season PPG: 11.00) 7.
Coach Alain Schaeffer's T71 showed flashes Baseggio's fast start and bench bursts from Ian Hulten and Tun Jungers but couldn't stem the middle-quarter surge. Sparta extend their winning run to six straight overall and move to the top of the Phase 2 table (+2 to 1st), while T71 sit 4th (-2).
(AI generated)