Kordall Steelers opened the championship round with a 67-60 home win over US Heffingen in Niederkuer, built on a fast start and a composed finish. After a 6-6 opening, Kordall strung together a 12-1 burst to close the first quarter at 20-9, their largest lead of the night (11). Heffingen responded in the second behind the relentless scoring of Mex Steinmetz to take the period 21-14, trimming the gap to 34-30 at halftime.
The third quarter brought the closest moment: Heffingen leveled at 37-37, but Kordall immediately answered with a 4-0 mini-run to 41-37 and never trailed, edging the frame 13-13 for 47-43. In the fourth, Adham Asfarelouldidi (12, FRA) took over: five field goals and 10 points in the last period, repeatedly answering Heffingen's pushes (57-49, 61-54, 67-57). Liam Jovanovic added two key buckets in the stretch, and Kordall closed it out despite pressure.
Kordall did all their damage inside: 31 made two-pointers and 5 free throws, without a three all game. Their game winners in a close finish were Asfarelouldidi (18) and Jovanovic (17), with captain Jayson Otiu (Season PPG: 12.3) contributing 16 despite carrying four fouls, and Charles Pelt adding 10.
For Heffingen, Steinmetz (31; Season PPG: 27.11) kept his team within reach, including a late three to make it 67-60, and had multiple scoring bursts in the third. Captain Mett Dostert (11; Season PPG: 15.89) and Tim Kass (12) supported, Kass hitting a crucial fourth-quarter triple.
Foul management mattered: Otiu and Jovanovic finished on four fouls, while Ruben Teixeira Rodrigues picked two quick fouls late, but no one fouled out. Coach Arnaud Stéphane Sirjean's group steadied the game when it tightened; Andrej Gruskovnjak's side fought back from early deficits but could not seize the lead.
In the standings, Kordall move to 2nd, Heffingen sit 3rd. The result also ends Heffingen's three-game winning streak, while Kordall bounce back after three straight losses in their recent run.
(AI generated)
Kordall Steelers