MVP Matjaz Smodis takes the Kresimir Cosic Cup trophy from Zagreb major Milan Bandic (photo: www.kkcedevita.hr)
Led by Slovenian international Matjaz Smodis’ 27-point MVP performance Cedevita Zagreb was able to edge Zagreb CO by 72:74 in front of their crowd, and win the first major trophy in team’s history.
Kresimir Cosic Cup semifinal games will take place on February 14th 2012. The final game is scheduled for February 16th 2012.
Tournament will take place in Zagreb. Last year’s winner is Zagreb CO.
Game 1: Zagreb CO vs Zadar
Game 2: Split vs Cedevita Zagreb
It was a great game in quarterfinal of Kresimir Cosic Cup. Two fallen basketball giants have collided in front of 4500 fans in Kresimir Cosic Hall. In a great fan made atmosphere Ante Delas won the game for Zadar with a buzzer beater tip in, after the miss of Ivan Batur. The final result was 90-89.
However, only one name was ringing in the ears of every fan in the hall after the match – Goran Vrbanc. A truly historical performance for him (44 pts!! 9-12 for 3pt!!). Experienced guard Davor Kus had 25 for Cibona.
It was a true test for Zadar team, that showed how close are they to ABA League competitors. We have to say that Vrbanc will not be able to perform like this in every game and Zadar will have to work a lot more if they want to win teams like Zagreb and Cedevita.
The conclusion is that basketball is slowly coming back to Zadar. The fans are starting to recognize the work of coach Ales Pipan and sports director Branko Skroce with young domestic players, and if this continues on we could rightfully start to call Zadar – The City of Basketball once again.
On the other hand, Cibona should also look for young domestic players, rather than giving a lot of money for A BIG NOTHING to foreign players such as Barbour and Harper who were really disappointing during the most of this season.
Sime Taras & Matija Balovic are CroHoops.com correspondents from Zadar, Croatia
December 29th 2011.
Zadar vs Cibona 90:89
note: Zadar’s SG Goran Vrbanc scored 44 points (9-12 three-pointers); G/F Ante Delas scored the game-winning basket at the final buzzer
Split vs Alkar 80:71
Zabok vs Zagreb CO 69:92
December 30th 2011.
Vrijednosnice OS Darda vs Cedevita 71:80
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