Telstar Hesperange edged Sparta Bertrange 69-65 in a tight M-U18 Division 2 Phase 2 contest at nikibett/central, overturning a 16-point deficit with a dominant final quarter. After a 9-9 opening frame, Sparta built a 34-23 halftime lead and stretched it to 50-34 late in the third. The game flipped in the fourth: Telstar opened with an 8-0 run (GIORDANA, REHAK, LORTILLOIR), then Ceylian Lortilloir (16) strung together three straight free throws to level it at 56-56. A 7-0 burst followed (REHAK FT, SANTI, GIORDANA, SANTI) for 63-56, and Telstar held on despite Sparta's late push.
Samuel Rehak (Season PPG: 16.44) was decisive with 22 points, including three fourth-quarter threes and 10 points in the period. Captain Jules Cochet (Season PPG: 15.00) poured in 13 in the third to keep Telstar within reach and finished with 17. Lortilloir (Season PPG: 6.78) added 14 and handled key late-game free throws, while Raffaele Santi (Season PPG: 12.22) scored six in the last quarter to reach 10.
For Sparta, Jules Wurth (17; Season PPG: 9.50) led with 17 and hit a fourth-quarter three to stop the bleeding, and Théo Mc Leod (17, FRA; Season PPG: 16.88) added 14, including two late free throws and a basket to close to 69-65. Captain Ata Tastekin (Season PPG: 11.89) had 10, but Sparta's foul trouble proved costly: starters Georgios Tsaramanidis, Thandizo Jon Zulu (SPA) and Tastekin all fouled out. Tsaramanidis picked up three fourth-quarter fouls in quick succession as Telstar's momentum grew.
Coach Uchenna Agada's side not only avenged a Phase 1 loss (61-50 at Sparta) but also climbed to first place in Phase 2. Sparta, coached by Christian Michael Wulff, remains third. Telstar have now won three of their last four. The fourth-quarter swing (26-11 for Telstar) and a highest Sparta lead of 16 underscored a dramatic game evolution, with Telstar the clear late-game winners.
(AI generated)