Vibball Luxembourg, still first in the phase finale at 7-0, took another close win over Sparta Bertrange B, 67-62, after also winning the first meeting 76-53. Despite the loss, SPAB moved up one place to 2nd.
The game stayed tight for long stretches. VBE led 17-13 after the first quarter, but SPAB answered well in the second. After Boccara and Blanc pushed the home side in front at 23-22, VBE reacted with 8 unanswered points, all from Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane (15, ESP, Season PPG: 21.85), who changed the rhythm of the period. SPAB cut it back to 28-30 by halftime through Konstantinos Laliotis (16, GRC, Season PPG: 12.93).
SPAB briefly had its best phase in the third quarter. Pelkes, Vernaison and Kuzu helped turn 30-34 into a 40-37 lead. That was a crucial moment, but coach Ildiko Vass's team answered immediately: VBE closed the quarter on a 12-4 run to go back in front 49-44, with Cassian Matgen (Season PPG: 17.54) and Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane carrying the scoring.
Early in the fourth, VBE created the game's biggest cushion, from 49-46 to 59-48, and that 11-point margin became decisive. Matgen finished with 20 points, Benjamin Mafolo Ondekane with 25, and captain Michel Ange Mafolo Ondekane (Season PPG: 18.21) added 14, including important late free throws. Alexandru-Catalin Vlad (1.92m, Season PPG: 11.29) gave support with 6 points.
SPAB stayed alive until the end. Laliotis scored 20, Boccara (Season PPG: 12.73) had 13 despite late foul trouble, and Pelkes (Season PPG: 9.14) added 12. SPAB came back to 64-59 and then 66-62 on a late Laliotis three, but VBE held the closing possessions and extended its winning streak to 14 games.
(AI generated)