Romanian final, like last year, and ex-Czechoslovak derby in the bronze medal game

C.S.U. Alba Iulia - Piestanske Cajky 56:52 (14:17; 29:30; 45:35)

The first CEWL quarterfinal was very dramatic to the last seconds. Alba Iulia didn't lose any game this season in CEWL, but were very close to this in the first Final 4 game. Piestanske Cajky played very fast and tough game, especially in defense. They won the first half by one point, Alba Iulia bench had two technical fouls and had to change something to the second half, if they wont to play final game on Sunday. And the change come – in defense. Cajky didn't score in first 6:30 minutes of second half. Slovak team scored in the third quarter only 6 points – and 4 of them from free throws. There were two technical fouls for Cajky in this quarter, best scorer Stehlikova was fouled out and it looked no good with them. But Cajky gave big energy to the last quarter and deleted their shortage. Slovak team lead by two points, even, but Alba Iulia was more lucky team in the end of game a gain first final game spot.

Miroslav Popovic, C.S.U. Alba Iulia: “I excepted this tough game, because I know, Piestanske Cajky are good team. They have girls together two years and have good chemistry. I saw, I feel it. We have this year young team and you saw, we had ten point difference and nobody scored, were afraid. It's something new for me. OK, they are playing under the pressure, maybe, they never play for any trophy. I thing, we changed match-up defense in second half and Cajky didn't answer good. We had advantage of 10 points, but I'm not satisfied how we finish the game. We have to finish game with peace and no so hysteric move like this.”

Martin Pospisil, Piestanske Cajky: “We lost the concentration after the close first half. We didn't play what we talk about. Our performance was weak and we lost the game there. But we are team, which don't give up. We stay with our heads up, and from the moment, when we lost 10 points, we played more agresive in the defense and played more faster. We went back to the game. We lost Romana Stehlikova after she fouled out. She is really big person and she can decide these games.”

Basketball Nymburk - Univ. Goldis ICIM Arad 63:77 (17:18; 29:36; 49:56)

Arad would like to repeat last year Romanian final game of CEWL (but with another result) after the victory of Alba Iulia in the first game. Home team Nymburk missed an important player Monroe, but were really good opponent to the favorite team. Home team should be better in the game without turnovers, because experienced team of Arad played after every home turnover fast break and scored easy points. Even the difference was in the last quarter 5 points, but the key seconds played better Arad, Nymubrk added two other turnovers and about the result was decided.

Daniel Kurucz, Basketball Nymburk: ““It was maybe about the lucky. We deleted our deficit and than made turnovers with bad passes. We went 3 on 1 and pass the ball to the out. Arad made two three-pointers from fast breaks. Decided our turnovers in transition a rebounding. Arad had more second chances. We risked and played in the paint in the end of game because of rebounds, but Arad scored by three-pointers. I'm satisfied with our performance. We played our best. Arad won nine-times Romanian Championship and showed, that this team is the biggest favorite of this tournament.”

Jose Araujo, Univ. Goldis ICIM Arad: “Nymburk missed very important player Jacinta Monroe. We worked very well in defense, but we were little bit nervous, because it was a small final. Nymburk was in fire on the start of game and we had to change defense of their shooters. We made a few turnovers, when the game was under our control. We played so fast. Our only two fouls in halftime? Nymburk passed ball to the paint and we catch players there, they had to pass it to perimeter and than missed the shots. Nymburk played more vigorously in the second half and we made more fouls.”