McDonald's Championships
on Britball
No second coming for Varese as Zalgris achieve minor consolation
Mark Woods in Milan
Lithuania's Zalgiris Kaunas defeated Italy's Varese Roosters 97-78 to mark up third place at the McDonald's Championship in Milan.
After their heroic efforts of the previous evening, one could hardly have admonished Varese if they treated the consolation game as a non-event. And one feared that was the case as the Euro League champions ran up the game's opening ten points.
But you don't scare the NBA champions without resilience and the Italians were soon back in the frame with a 2-10 spurt, Maurizio Giadini lifting them into a first lead at 19-20 with 1:15 left in the first period.
The weakness of Zalgiris shooting has been their downfall throughout the early stages of this campaign and the release of their American Darren Henrie just prior to Milan meant that it was almost an all-native line up.
With Corey Beck rested and Czech centre George Zidek - looking less like a NBA player now than he did when he was at Charlotte - ineffectual, the Lithuanians were forced to turn to their inside game to match the quickness of Varese.
Trailing 21-24 after twelve minutes, the Baltic side found their range and a rare three point success from Minaugas Timinskas - who would end on a game high 26 points - restored their lead to 37-34, lead which extended to six points at the change of ends.
The first four points of the second half also went in Zalgiris favour and their size continued to present match up problems for Massimo Galli's scuadra.
Entering the final quarter 69-56 in arrears, Varese's persistence was admirable but lacked the catalytic spark of their previous encounter.
As Zalgiris broke 20 points clear, the Roosters chances had effectively blown the coup but the home crowd was left with positive memories of their representative's efforts. And teh biggest cheer came at the finish, when veteran player turned journalist Guido Bagatta was introduced to drain a celebrity shot, leaving a smile on everyone's faces.
Gianmarco Pozzecco ended his fine tournament with 16 points.
1 2 3 4 Final Zal 21 28 20 28 97 Var 24 19 16 22 78
Copyright Britball. Download is subject to Britball's Terms of Service.