GB’s Eurobasket Ends with Loss to Ukraine

By Sam Neter on September 9, 2013

Ukraine were just one hurdle too far as Great Britain suffered an 87-68 loss to bring their 2013 Eurobasket campaign to an end on Monday afternoon in Slovenia.

However, their campaign will largely be considered a success, finishing with a 2-3 record with victories over Israel and Germany, where most predicted they would return home win-less. The team matched their best-ever showing of the modern era at a European Championships.

Ukraine proved their class as they booked their place in the second round, picking apart GB’s defence, and locking them up on offence to sail to nineteen point victory.

“They played one great game, very solid, a very physical team,” said Kieron Achara. “They got to the loose balls and they really wanted it. They showed great effort and we didn’t match that intensity unfortunately and came up short.”

“We battled once the game got going, but we needed to get it from the start,” Head Coach Joe Prunty said. “We got our rhythm back, cut it to one but in the second quarter it was tough for us. I was proud of the fight we had in the second half, our guys tried to compete. We were trying to pressure, trying to get more possessions in the game. But it was a great effort by Ukraine.”

Devon van Oostrum and Achara led GB with 12 points each, whilst Andrew Lawrence joined them in double figures with 10.

Box score.

Thoughts?

Image Credit: GB Basketball

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