Next up in our review of the XII FIMBA European Championships is the FIMBA GB +55 Men.
The first game of the Championship for the +55 Men promised to be a tight and feisty affair. The GB team were looking to redeem themselves from a huge loss against the EK Athens +50 team in Portugal, a loss that still stings in the memory of a few GB players. Things didn’t start off well, with a 90 minute delay to the start of the game for “technical issues” and a sports hall that was at least 30 degrees inside with no air-conditioning.
Steve Claringbould got the M55’s off to a flying start with a long range 3 that took the Greeks by surprise. Greece had no answer to the determination and game play of the +55’s but it was sloppy passing and poor rebounding that caught GB out. Greece fought back and took the first period 16-7, against the run of play. The second period was about tough defence, and the Greeks were tough to break down, forced GB to the outside shot, boxed out and got into their stride on offence, passing and shooting like a well-oiled machine. The halftime score 23-12 to Greece looked a lot worse that it was, however, the halftime team talk seemed to pay dividends as GB went to the “bigs” and started scoring inside. Simon Gregory was unstoppable when fed the ball, despite being double teamed, banged around and slapped constantly, Gregory stood tall and got on with the task of bring GB back. Mark Modzelewski joined the fray and used his experience to pick up some clever rebounds. Rob Brind, Claringbould and picked up the slack and brought the game to 33-28 by the end of the third period. The introduction of Milne at the end of the third and start of the fourth saw a forced change in Greek tactics as they failed to cope and handle Pete Milne, who worked inside and outside the zone with impunity. Gregory, Milne and John Dixon harassed and bullied their way into the zone, closed their man and put in a shift that was full of determination and passion. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and EK Athens Greece took the win 49-42. Top Scorers: Milne 11; Gregory 10; Claringbould 9
No excuses, we should have won the game as we were by far the better side both technically and physically. We let ourselves down on defence at times and were punished. I should have made changes to the defence sooner and I’ll chalk it down to me rather than the players” said a disappointed Head Coach Des Williams.
Coach Williams
The +55’s went into the second game needing a win, not only for the group ranking but for morale. The loss against Greece was tough to except, especially when GB were the better side, but this is international basketball and players at this level will punish all mistakes. Having watched Uruguay against Germany previously, the game plan was simple. Block the centre, control the boards and run the floor. Once again, Steve Claringbould got GB off to a flying start, Simon Gregory bullied the board and Rob Brind backed them up with some sublime passes. This time it took some spectacular long range shooting from Uruguay and GB getting into foul trouble to stay in the game as Gregory, Brind and Claringbould controlled everything.
The halftime score saw GB leading 24-21, putting it into perspective Uruguay scored 5 points from the foul line in the second period, such was the dominance of the GB side. The third period saw GB’s dominance continue with Gregory, Dave Spindley and Pete Milne blocking out the sunlight in the zone and John Green and Brind running the floor. Some quick calls on the floor saw GB get into foul trouble early in the period and they found range on their shots, making it a closer game than it should have been. End of the third period and the score 37-32. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and that man was Spindley, who rolled back the years with sublime footwork, boxing out and his link up play with Gregory, Brind and Green was a sight to behold. Uruguay started the final period trying to work inside, Brind and Green stopped the flow of passes from outside the zone to their Centre. Mark Modzelewski and Gregory filled the front court as Spindley took on a Forward role and made it look simple. He killed off any fight back from Uruguay with 2 quick long range baskets, took control of the zone and saw GB take their first win of the tournament. GB eventually ran out winner 51-47. Top Scorers: Claringbould 16; Gregory 11; Spindley 6
I’m really pleased for the players, the hard work they put in and the desire to win was great. We learnt from the Greece game and now we can push on and enjoy the rest of the tournament without chasing a win
Coach Williams
As the delight of their maiden win against Uruguay subsided, the realisation of the injuries to players started to hit home. Littered with former Regional League and Bundesliga players, the Germany side came to win the group and medal. The +55’s were no match against the size and experience of the Germany side. It didn’t help that the +55’s went into the game with some substantial injuries to Steve Claringbould, Dave Spindley, Pete Milne and Terry Rose. The lack of height, size and shooting power showed as the Germans dominated the game from the start. They showed no mercy as they ran out worthy winners 67-41.
The score looks worse than it really was, we were only down by 12 with 10 minutes to go but the Germans just changed gear, sped the game up and took the wind from us
Coach Williams
With Dave Spindley and Pete Milne now out through injury, the game was always going to be a tough one. The Czech Republic were out for revenge after the +55’s destroyed them at the last Europeans in Malaga. They came with a team packed with experience from the Czech professional league, most of whom had played together. The first period was tightly contested with both teams looking to dominate the boards early on. The pairing of Stuart Bush and Mark Modzelewski in the front court with Jerry Hanss playing Centre paid dividends as the Czech Republic were forced into shooting. The first period ended 20-16 and GB were holding their own against a bigger side. However, the Czech Republic found their range quickly and were 4/5 from the arc and decided to attack from the perimeter instead. The Czech ball movement was quick, precise and deadly as they pulled up, shot and then retreated to defend. They took a decisive lead and fought to hold it, slowing the game down to almost walking pace in the second period. Halftime score saw the Czech Republic lead 39-24 but the games wasn’t over, and you could sense that GB weren’t finished and could mount a comeback. Tired legs and errors saw GB pick up 9 quick team fouls but despite that, Simon Gregory started the fight back and decided to take matters into his own hands, he bullied and harassed his opponents, and he was fed the ball inside by Green and Brind at will. The fight back was on! As the fourth period went on, the GB legs got weaker and they just couldn’t get a lead and get back into the game, eventually the Czech Republic ran out winners 73-55. Top Scorers: Gregory 26; Hanss 7; Dixon 5; Green 5
When your opponent is 11 of 14 from the arc, you’re in for a bad day. We were 16 of 19 from the line but only 42% from the floor and that kills you. I thought Simon Gregory stood head and shoulders above everyone in terms of his desire, drive and determination and it was as though he knew he was against former pros and wanted to show his talent. This has been a tough lesson for a number of the newer players and one that I hope that they learn from and bounce back
Coach Williams
The +55’s went to the final game feeling positive, despite the losses and heartbreak of the previous games. However, from the moment they arrived they were destined not to win as several “technical issues” beset them. The sports hall wasn’t air conditioned and the ambient temperature was approx. 40 degrees at one stage, such was the poor air quality and dryness that it was almost impossible to breath.
We lost, not because the Spanish were better than us but because we have families, jobs and careers to go home to. You know you’re in for a bad time when your provided six 500ml bottles of water and after the game watch the officials walk barrels of the stuff in from a van outside. I’d rather just chalk it down as a loss on me rather than a loss on the players
Coach Williams
