Sparta Bertrange edged Basket Esch 78-74 in a tight W-U19 Division 1 Phase finale game in Esch, overturning an early deficit with a strong middle stretch and surviving a late rally. After Esch's bright 26-21 first quarter highlighted by Ajla Adrovic's early bursts and a 17-8 lead the visitors took control in Q2 (13-21) and reached halftime up 42-39.
The third quarter belonged to Sparta's interior game. Tereza Liska (1.82m, SVK) powered her way to 22 points before fouling out late, while Luisa Feyder added 17, including eight made free throws, to push the gap to 62-55 after three. Early in the fourth, Sparta strung together the game's pivotal 11-0 run from 60-64 to 60-75: Lilly Engels started it, Chiara Rasolofo hit back-to-back baskets, and Feyder followed with a three and free throws. That was Sparta's largest lead (+15).
Esch answered with an 11-0 surge of its own Emma Wallenborn's three sparking the push and Adrovic piling in seven points in that sequence to close to 71-75. Liska's fifth foul threatened to tilt momentum, but Feyder steadied Sparta with a late basket, and Rasolofo's free throw sealed it. In the final minute, Kim Ferron committed two fouls in a row as Esch pressed. A rare correction erased one of Laure Valentin's fourth-quarter free throws earlier in the period.
Standouts
- Basket Esch: Adrovic (26) impressed at just 15 years old; Estelle Birnbaum (Season PPG: 9.33) added 15; Wallenborn (Season PPG: 9.45) scored 14.
- Sparta Bertrange: Liska (22) set the tone inside; Feyder (1.75m) delivered 17 and key late points; Rasolofo (Season PPG: 11.27) had 14.
Coaches Colin Braun (SPA) and Karim Elbaoune (LAL) traded timeouts around the decisive runs, but Sparta managed the clock better late. The head-to-head is now split this season after Esch's 78-58 road win in Phase 1. In the new standings, Sparta rises to 1st (+4), while Esch sits 3rd and is on a three-game skid.
(AI generated)