GRE (Grunewald Hueschtert) edged US Heffingen 60-55 in Oberanven, a close contest shaped by swings of momentum and fourthquarter nerves. After HEF opened 0-2, GRE answered with a 7-0 push capped by five straight from Jake Jozef Rajniak (11), taking the first quarter 17-11. Coach Peter Rajniak's side stretched the gap in the second: Arnas Pakasius (11, LTU) hit backtoback twos to 23-13 before captain Rasmus Dollaris Praestegaard (13) authored a personal 5-0 burst and, later, four more points in a row to send GRE to halftime up 34-23.
HEF reacted after the break through Mex Steinmetz (11), who nailed two triples and kept scoring, but Rajniak replied with consecutive baskets and GRE still reached their largest lead at 46-32. The fourth quarter belonged to HEF's charge: Steinmetz poured in six points in a row to trim it to 48-44, then helped bring it to 50-48 and later 55-53. In the decisive moments, GRE found answers: Rajniak's drive for 57-53, Matteo De Castro (11) in traffic for 59-53, and a last free throw by Rajniak closed it at 60-55. Coach Andrej Gruskovnjak rode his hot hand, but the hosts executed late.
Top performers
- GRE: Rajniak 16, Praestegaard 15, Pakasius 9, Aissa Chikhaoui (12, FRA) 8; timely makes from De Castro (4) and Gauthier Kristiansen (4).
- HEF: Steinmetz 33 (2 threes), Michael Hostert 8, captain Mett Dostert 7, Tim YeongJun Kass 3.
Notable runs: Praestegaard's 5-0 and 4-0 spurts in Q2; HEF's 8-2 start to Q4 and a 4-0 push to 50-48. GRE's highest lead was 14 (46-32). No player fouled out; Steinmetz played through three fouls, while Rajniak absorbed two shooting fouls in the second half.
Standings impact: GRE jumps to 2nd (+3) at 2-0, now on a twogame win streak; HEF slips to 3rd (-1) at 1-2.
(AI generated)