BC Mess edged Vibball Luxembourg 80-79 in this M-Coupe de l'Avenir 1/16 final and took the qualification after a game that turned sharply after halftime.
The opening quarter stayed balanced at 19-19. VBE started well with Jeremi Adamski (VBE) scoring the first 5 points, but Mess answered through Noa Priso Dikoume (MES) and Fabio Freymann (MES). The decisive first swing came in the second quarter: VBE built a 45-33 halftime lead, with Gustaw Karwacki (VBE) taking over. He was on a real roll in that stretch, scoring repeatedly around the rim and from the line, and VBE later pushed the margin to its highest level at 48-33 early in the third.
Mess did not panic. Coach Fernand Musquar's side kept coming through a much more balanced attack. Roan Musquar (MES), Freymann, Priso Dikoume, Rafael Da Fonseca Rocha (MES) and Louis Clemes (MES) all finished in double figures, which slowly changed the rhythm of the game. By the end of the third, VBE still led 65-57, but the gap was no longer secure.
The last quarter was the turning point. Mess outscored VBE 23-14, with Da Fonseca Rocha, Musquar and Clemes driving the comeback. VBE still had Karwacki producing, and Dimitri Vassjutinski (VBE) put them ahead 79-78 from the line in the closing phase. Mess answered immediately: Clemes scored the final basket for 79-80.
Karwacki was the game's leading scorer with 41 points, supported by Isaac Foz Moutinho (VBE) with 14, Adamski with 11 and Martin Sveda (VBE) with 10. Mess's leaders were Musquar with 18, Freymann with 17, Priso Dikoume with 16, Clemes with 14 and Da Fonseca Rocha with 13. VBE's foul situation also became heavy late, with Adamski and Sveda fouling out.
(AI generated)
Vibball Luxembourg