Résidence Walferdange edged Racing Luxembourg 69-66 in a tight M-U14 Division 2 Phase finale opener at tramsschap/central, closing it at the foul line after a late RAC surge. It was the third meeting of the season between these two, and Résidence now leads the series 2-1 (previously a 93-61 away win for RES in Phase 1 and a 97-68 home win for RAC in Phase 2).
Racing, under coach Christian Nittler, flew out 7-0 and led 15-12 after Q1, with Alejandro Cuesta Jaramillo (Season PPG: 18.50) attacking the rim and Roby Sahr adding early points. Kasparas Voska (Season PPG: 29.90) kept RES close with three straight baskets to end the quarter. The game flipped in the second: Résidence produced a 28-11 period and closed the half on a 10-0 run for 40-26, sparked by Robert Nicula (Season PPG: 9.45) with a 5-point burst and Gael Dos Santos Antonio (Season PPG: 16.20). The visitors' largest lead reached 17 at 43-26 early in the third.
Racing responded with energy after the break, cutting the gap to 44-51 by the end of Q3 thanks to a 10-0 run built on back-to-back triples from Gabriel Guillen and Jules Hélie Payen Morolli and steady inside work from Cuesta. The fourth swung multiple times: Dos Santos hit a big three for 58-51 before fouling out later in the quarter, yet Voska's constant two-point scoring (11 made twos) and Nicula's timely shooting kept RES in front.
Inside the final minute, RAC closed to 66-67 after two free throws from Henrik Alfred Piirsalu and a basket by Elhadj Ibrahima Diallo (Season PPG: 24.00). The decisive sequence belonged to Nicula, who calmly sank two free throws for 69-66 and sealed it. Cuesta, outstanding with 26 points (10 twos, 6 free throws), also fouled out in the closing seconds. For Résidence, the 13-year-old Lithuanian Voska poured in 22, Dos Santos added 22 before disqualification, and Nicula finished with 17 and the game-winners.
Coach Steve Stéphane Alexandre's team halts a rough run of results and opens the Phase finale in 2nd place, while Racing sits 3rd after round one.
(AI generated)