Tageblatt.lu | Enovos League | Sparta advances to a championship final for the first time since 2012

Bartringer Yannick Verbeelen was relieved about the long-awaited final, but was already looking ahead: “We can now be happy for a few days that we made it. After that, we have to focus on the final and continue working with concentration.”

In the second game, his team was able to rely on center Victor Iwuakor, who had missed the entire second half of the first duel due to injury. The US player did not yet act with his usual liveliness, but was once again an important support under the basket.

As in the first meeting, Dudelange had a difficult initial phase. A lack of precision, many forced offensive actions and ball losses allowed the Bartringers to gain an early lead (7:16, 6′).

The home team also had problems with the initially strict line of the referee trio: Maurice Calloo had to go to the bench after four minutes with two fouls, Ivan Delgado even after 5:20 minutes with three personal fouls.

Foundation stone in defense

Up until the 15th minute, the guests delivered an almost perfect performance with an omnipresent Jarvis Williams and a once again strong Yannick Verbeelen, also because they were excellent defensively (21:34, 15′). Despite Dudelinger’s later comeback, Verbeelen saw the foundation stone in the strong start: “It was important to take the lead early and shape the game from the front. That takes the pressure off us and increases it on the opponent, who absolutely has to win.”

As a result, the hosts found their way into the game better. Finn Reisdorffer was better positioned under the basket, which made it easier for Dudelange to score points – after many shots had previously been missed, especially from half-distance (30:34, 17′).

After the break, the guests defended their narrow lead for a long time in an increasingly nerve-wracking game before Jimmie Taylor – with a total of 32 points and an impeccable free throw rate for his team (17/17) – gave the home team the lead for the first time (70:69, 37′).

However, Sparta never let themselves be disturbed and could once again rely on an unleashed Jarvis Williams, who scored 14 of his points in the final phase. Despite being closely guarded, the US player scored from all positions and secured the preliminary decision (70:78) with a three-pointer 1:40 minutes before the end, before Max Logelin put the final point with a cracking dunk (70:82).

Yannick Verbeelen particularly emphasized his team’s defensive performance: “We defended very well in both games, that was the foundation for our success. It was clear to us that we couldn’t take Jimmie Taylor out of the game completely. But in the final phase we were able to rely on Jarvis. Since we were very good defensively, we still managed to do it.”