Sparta Bertrange edged Etzella Ettelbruck 53-51 in a tight opening game of the M-U18 Division 1 phase, with the visitors taking a close finish after Etzella's long comeback.
The game turned sharply after Etzella's 9-5 start. Sparta answered with 15 straight points to close the first quarter 20-9, already creating the game's highest lead at 13 points early in the second period (24-11). Coach Christian Michael Wulff's team stayed in control at 32-21 at halftime, with balanced scoring and good defensive pressure.
Etzella reacted strongly after the break. From 24-37 down, coach Nelson Delgado's side produced a 12-0 run to get within 37-36. Lenny Lopes Morais (17, 1.85m) drove that push and finished with a game-high 24 points, while Gilles Schock added 8 and captain Charel Wilmes hit two important third-quarter threes for 6 points.
Sparta absorbed that momentum swing. After Etzella came within one, Sparta answered with 8 consecutive points to move back to 45-36. Diego Suarez Martinez (14) led Sparta with 15 points, while Ata Tastekin (17, 1.91m) and Maximiliaan Flechtner (16) each scored 10. Tsaramanidis added 5, including a key third-quarter three.
The last quarter stayed close. Etzella got level at 51-51 after Lopes Morais completed another strong sequence, but Tastekin scored the decisive basket for 53-51. Sparta then protected the margin in the final moments.
The third quarter also had a more tense stretch, with disruptive fouls charged to Ben Schock and Tastekin during the momentum battle. After this first round game, Sparta stands 3rd in the table and Etzella 4th.
(AI generated)