Sparta Bertrange C controlled the key moments to win 56-46 at US Heffingen in the Phase finale round-robin, reversing the earlier season matchup that Heffingen had won 70-52 in Phase 2 (Division 5).
Game evolution
- Q1: Sparta jumped 9-2 behind Thor Wintersdorff and Raphaël Grieco before Heffingen answered 6-0 to close to 8-9; Sparta still edged it 12-9.
- Q2: The visitors built the first real cushion with a 6-0 burst to 23-14, reaching halftime up 27-18.
- Q3: Heffingen tightened the screws (11-9 in the quarter) through Mett Dostert and Mex Steinmetz, but Sparta preserved a 36-29 lead.
- Q4: Heffingen surged 7-0 to 38-42, capped by a Steinmetz triple, but Coach Tine Nagy's side responded decisively. Sparta closed on an 18-6 stretch, including two separate 6-0 runs, and reached the night's largest lead at 56-44 before the hosts scored last.
Standouts
- Sparta: Raphaël Grieco (Season PPG: 11.62) led with 19 points, repeatedly finishing at the rim (nine 2-point makes) and scoring multiple key baskets in the closing minutes. Thor Wintersdorff (Season PPG: 8.92) added 12, and Ozan Donmez chipped in 7. Olaf Komor-Richter (12, DEU) contributed a late basket in the clinching phase.
- Heffingen: Mett Dostert (Season PPG: 16.0) posted 17 points (six 2s, one 3), while Mex Steinmetz (Season PPG: 26.0) scored 16, including a pivotal fourth-quarter three. Tim Yeong-Jun Kass added 9. Amelia Joan Morton (12, AUS) had a basket and drew contact.
Foul notes
Sparta managed stretches with Liam Ammermann and Teng Yi Zahn on four fouls each; Gabriel Sierra Ferruz committed two P2 fouls in quick succession in Q3. No player fouled out.
Impact
Sparta move to 1-1 in the Phase finale and climb to 2nd (ranking gain +4). Heffingen fall to 0-2 and 4th and are now on a two-game slide. Sparta return to winning ways after a loss. Coach Andrej Gruskovnjak's group showed resilience, but Sparta's late-game execution proved decisive.
(AI generated)