Eurobasket edged BBC BIL 71-64 in Dreiborn after a balanced game that swung repeatedly. The visitors set the tone with a strong second quarter (22-11), punctuated by a personal 7-0 burst from Rimgaudas Greicius (EUR) to open the period. That run stretched the gap to 41-27 at halftime, Eurobasket's largest lead.
BIL answered after the break. David Torres dos Santos (BIL) sparked the comeback with three third-quarter triples, and Dany Deaibes (BIL) added eight in the period as the hosts cut the deficit to 49-54. BIL then started the fourth with five straight from Deaibes and another Torres three for an 8-0 run and a brief 57-54 lead.
Coach Roberto Schiano's team steadied immediately: Greicius tied it with a three, Domas Savickas (EUR) added a basket, and the closing stretch belonged to captain Svajunas Piepolis (EUR). He scored four unanswered points to push Eurobasket ahead 69-62, then sealed it at the foul line for the final margin.
Key numbers came from the arc. BIL drilled 10 triples (six by Torres), while Eurobasket matched with nine, led by Greicius. Scoring leaders: Greicius 19, Piepolis 15, Savickas 11 for Eurobasket; Deaibes 19 and Torres 18 for BIL. Olivier Maillet (EUR) contributed timely points and two late free throws in Q3 that halted BIL's momentum.
Discipline shaped the rotations. Starting guard Nikolaos Panagos (EUR) picked up two quick first-quarter fouls and fouled out in the third, but Eurobasket absorbed the loss. BIL's Deaibes battled through four personals, staying on the floor to drive the comeback.
Coach Nico Vesque's BIL rode perimeter shooting and a third-quarter surge to get back in it, but Eurobasket's composure in the final five minutes Greicius's answers and Piepolis's closing six points decided a close contest.
(AI generated)