On Thursday, Luxembourg played the last game of the FIBA 2025 Eurobasket pre-qualifiers. After a tied first half, Romania had the better second half and was able to win the game 78:67. This loss also eliminates our national team from the qualifiers. Romania qualifies for the next round.
Starting 5: Melcher, Kovac, Grün, Laurent, Rugg
First quarter:
Clancy Rugg showed his mid range qualities to start the game and Luxembourg was able to take a 15:10 lead on a 3-pointer by Joé Kalmes, the FLBB squad led by 3 points after the first 10 minutes.
Second quarter:
In the second quarter, the referees used the instant replay possibility to review a foul against Melcher by Gheroghe, it was called an unsportsmanlike foul and Luxembourg received 2 free throws.
Kalmes hit 2 3-pointers, one of them while drawing a foul and Luxembourg continued to make stops on defense to keep the score tied at half time (31:31). Alex Laurent had a big rejection in a fast break situation (video).
Third quarter:
Romania started the second half with a quick 8:0 run and took a 10-point lead after a time out by coach Diederich, but Alex Laurent reacted with 2 straigth made shots from behind the arc and kept the FLBB team in the game. The captain of the team who will play in Trier next season kept Luxembourg alive in the third quarter. However, Romania took a 6-point lead into the final quarter (52:46).
Fourth quarter:
Rugg (18) and Laurent (15) scored 33 out of 46 points through 3 quarters for our national team. No other player was able to find his rhythm and when Romania went on a big run, our opponent was able to create a decisive lead. Luxembourg went on a late run but was not able to come in striking distance again.
boxscore –> game stats
Standings (group B):
Romania (6 points, 3 wins, 0 losses)
Luxembourg (5 points, 1 win, 3 losses)
Albania (4 points, 1 win, 2 losses)
Results in this competition:
Albania – Luxembourg 92:89
Luxembourg – Romania 70:73
Romania – Albania 101:84
Luxembourg – Albania 86:75
Romania – Luxembourg 78:67
Albania – Romania (July 3, 2022)
