Duco van Oostrum: The Biggest GB Youth Success To Date

In the third of his blogs covering the GB U20s Division B European Championship run in Sofi, Bulgaria, Duco van Oostrum reflects upon their huge win over Croatia.

Game 2 – Croatia 78 Great Britain 90

A win is always welcome but today’s was very special indeed. Croatia, one of the big names in world basketball, came to this tournament determined to show that last year’s U20 div A relegation was an aberration. They would go straight back up to elite status, demolishing the Div B opponents and showing their superior class.

Well, they hadn’t counted on Great Britain in their group. This win was probably the biggest GB youth success to date, right up there with the U16 1995 group winning promotion.

How did it happen? First and foremost, defense and a will to win. OK. So GB put 90 points on the board, but it’s absolutely crucial to get the stops when the offense isn’t flowing. And once again, it didn’t in the first quarter.

Devon missed a couple of shots, but Ali Frasier shows he owns the paint in this tournament. And here’s a name not really mentioned yet, Louis Sayers put the first points on the board for GB with three from a Devon assist (hint — it’s going to happen again). The game stayed close, but Croatia sneaked ahead.

When Devon missed his fourth shot in a row, coach Smart puts in Rema. Rema responded and got to the line, keeping it close with a 15-13 deficit. Ali Frasier quietly dominated with 8-first quarter points, but then disaster. He gets called for a questionable push off, 2nd foul and time on the bench — coach won’t risk it.

And it doesn’t bode well when Croatia finally get their ball movement going and get open looks at the 3. They start with 5-0 run. Joe Hart responds with a three, but the momentum is clearly Croatia’s, as the score balloons to 24-16.

After missing all his shots so far, Devon decides to drive hard going to the rim, and the game changes. With 12 points (2 threes) and a score from Grant in between, it’s a massive GB run, now leading 30-27.

Croatia change their defense. For the rest of the game, they will play a box-and-one on Devon, face-guarding him with a taller player all over court. It’s having an effect. One more three by Devon notwithstanding, the offense changes, especially with Ali on the bench with foul trouble. Croatia manage to cut the lead down to 1 at the half, 35-34 GB at the half.

The GB crowd (all 5 of us) discuss what’s happened. Clearly GB’s defense works, but we’re still worried, at the same time, with Ali due to come back, there’s also a quiet optimism. And we’re right (obviously — who needs coaches), Ali immediately hits 4 points. Jesse gets a nice big bucket, but Croatia are not going away and re-take the lead on a Rogic 3-pointer, 43-41.

Most of the points come from Ali, who owns the paint now that Croatia focus their defense so much on Devon and think that they don’t have to play team D on Ali — mistake. Connor meanwhile takes over point guard duties and he connects on a beautiful floater and impresses with his quiet control of the game.

More points from Devon and GB look to have found the solution to the Croatia special defense. But again, 3rd foul for Ali and off to the bench. Jesse and Josh hit four points, but Croatia score as well. Connor’s free throws finish the quarter — Croatia was in perpetual foul trouble as well — and GB have increased their lead to 3, 62-59. Will it really happen?

At 64-62, Ali commits foul number 4 and has to go back to the bench. Quick three and score from Croatia for yet another turnaround, 67-64 with 7 minutes left. Time for the story of this game.

Devon is once again double teamed but sees Louis Sayers open in the opposite corner and rifles a pass—swish. Tie game and Louis time. And here’s that John Stewart again, finishing a clutch play around the basket, adding to all those intangibles he does all game.

Croatia decide to fly at Louis, and Louis waves at them, scoring on a great drive—up 4. Connor is wide open, hesitates, and thinks, I’ve got this, and another 3, up 7 with 5.30 to go. Croatia hit right back with a three. Ali back in, passes the ball to guess who? And yes, another three by Louis.

Next play down, Ali hedges late; it’s his 5th with 3.19 on the clock, up 8. It’s repetitive, but Croatia shoot another 3 and look to make a final run. On the wing, shot clock running down, Devon comes off the pick, Connor hits him perfectly, the three goes up—via the top of the back board, the ball rolls in — a real momentum stopper.

John hits one out of 2 but Markulin makes it 6 again with a three; a miss at the other end and with 1.30 to go we’re holding our breath as Rogic drives to basket— Devon draws the charge, gets immediately fouled on the inbound, sinks the free throws and with an 8-point lead with 1 minute, the crowd (the 5 GB supporters) think it may really happen.

Connor ices the game as Croatia try to get back in the game, but can’t because of a fantastic close-out from the GB team. Final historic score 90-78.

Scorers etc:

Devon, 27points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, and big charge drawn. Also fouls drawn 7 times (a stat kept here and rightly so)

Ali, 17p, 7 rebounds in only 22min of action. Look for a big response from him.

Louis, 14p (3/4 3s). Croatia’s nightmare.

Connor, 13p, 4reb, 3 assist, 6 fouls drawn in 25min. Some great defense on the quick Croatian guards.

Jesse, 5p, 7reb. And one monster block, outlet pass, Bill Russell style.

John, 5p (2/3), 3 rebounds, and many clever box outs and deflections that don’t show up on stat sheets.

Joe, 4p, 6 boards. Also got his hands on a lot of loose balls and impressed with his hustle.

Josh, 2p. But so important.

Grant, 2p. Had to work hard because of Ali’s foul trouble.

Rema, 1p. Courage on the drive and great team spirit.

Lee and Zac were DNP (injuries).

I’m sure the Croatian excuses will come thick and fast, with players missing, and what not. GB have learnt to play with who is there, and play hard. That’s been the coach’s motto throughout, play hard and good things will happen.

The coaching staff actually did a bit more than that, because today’s game was hard work for them, with Ali’s foul trouble and the box-and-one defense requiring game adjustments. But the coaches also won their battle, as Croatia didn’t have an answer to running Devon from the post, and to the X-factor Louis Sayer.

I’m aware that I haven’t focused as much on the defensive team effort. Croatia move the ball incredibly well, off multiple ball screens, and it’s hard work to keep up with them. The team effort was immense.

The final win was a big one — a 12-point margin, which might become important for later in the tournament. But first things first. Denmark tomorrow.

Denmark beat Belarus on a buzzer-beater in this ultra-competitive group. The ’93 generation remember a certain Denmark game well. Let’s see if those memories can be erased, just like that first-game loss v Portugal last year was rectified now. GB, 2-0 in the group.

Just to give you an impression, I also had a nice, relaxing walk through down town Sofia. But somehow the game occupies my thinking at the minute. More tomorrow. Can’t wait.

Duco.