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G Jelena Ivezic, Croatia (photo by FIBA Europe)

Before 2011 EuroBasket for Women many questioned Croatian head coach Stipe Bralic’s modified version of Paul Westhead’s “high octane run & gun” system which has been successfully instaled in Phoenix Marcury (WNBA).

Now, when this system has helped Croatia to drastically improve during the course of the Tournament and to win as many as 3 out of it’s 4 last games in 2011 EuroBasket for Women, many of his critics have silenced.

On Saturday, Croatian NT took the 5th place in 2011 Women EuroBasket and has qualified for the additional FIBA qualification cycle for London Olympics.

Fueled by it’s pressing defense and paced by it’s guard duet Jelena Ivezic (21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) and Iva Ciglar (19 points, 5 assists) Croatia managed to win the tournament rematch with Montenegro by 73:59.

The most astonishing statistic of the game was that Croatian NT bench led by Marta Cakic’s 12 points managed to outscore complete Montenegrian bench by as much as 34:6!

American-born SF Lisa Karcic saw extended playing time as defensive catalyst in the last two games which were vital to Croatian NT. She has responded with 6.0 points, 7.5 boards and 2.0 steals per game in those contests.

Croatian NT head coach Stipe Bralic’s postgame statement: “This is the biggest achievement of my career” (source: www.fibaeurope.com).

Sandra Mandir, Croatia (photo by FIBA Europe)

Croatia’s prolific shooting guard Sandra Mandir has been voted to 2011 Women Eurobasket in Poland All-Tournament team.

34-Year old team captain has been instrumental for Croatian NT success providing both scoring punch and court leadership whenever the team needed it.

Russian guard Elena Danilochkina has been named MVP of the Tournament. Her teammate C Maria Stepanova contributed 18 points, 12 boards and 4 blocked shots in Russia’s 59:42 win over Turkey in 2011 EuroBasket final.

All-Tournament Team:
C Maria Stepanova (Russia)
C Nevriye Yilmaz (Turkey)
F Eva Viteckova (Czech Republic)
G Sandra Mandir (Croatia)
G Elena Danilochkina (Russia)

CROATIA CELEBRATES BIG WIN OVER SPAIN
(photo by FIBA Europe/Ciamillo-Castoria)

In front of 1000 spectators Croatia was able to change it’s destiny and make an unbelievable upset by edging 2009 EC bronze medalist Spain 71:75 and thus qualify to quarter final round.

Having trailed 61-54, Croatia scored 14 unanswered points to take a 68-61 lead with one minute left. Croatian captain SG Sandra Mandir had a game-high 24 points while shooting 9-13 from the floor.

Here’s her postgame statement: “Spain were favourites to win this game but we showed today that if we play hard, we are capable of beating anyone. We did our best and we got the win we needed to go through to the Quarter Finals. I hope we can give another good performance in our next game.” (source: EuroBasketWomen2011.com)

In the 2011 Croatian Championship final series Gospic CO simply breezed to another title with the cristal clear cumulative 3-0 victory over Jolly JBS Sibenik.

 
Led by as much as 60 points scored by their dynamic duet Jelena Ivezic & Sandra Mandir (Ivezic 38 points, Mandir 22 points) Gospic easily won the game three by 75:90 (18:16, 20:19, 16:24, 21:31).

Jolly JBS Sibenik, which was paced by Lindsey Wilson’s 19 points,  as a team simply had no clue how to deal with the overall level of aggressive defensive display demonstrated by the visiting Gospic CO.

In a relatively tight game in front of it’s home crowd Gospic CO was able to hold off it’s biggest Croatian rival Jolly JBS Sibenik by 83:69 (28:21, 17:22, 18:15, 20:11) and win it’s 6th Croatian Ruzica-Meglaj Rimac Cup title.

Gospic CO guard Sandra Ivezic was named MVP of the Turnament while her teammate Jelena Ivezic led the Tournament in scoring with 38 points in 2 appereances.