23 July 2008

Hot Shooting Sweden Chalk Up Another Win

Yet another three-point barrage proved the winning formula for Sweden as they beat Bulgaria 73-60 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The Bulgarians got off to a quick start and were up 9-6 following Stefka Nikolova's lay up. But Frida Fogdemark and Jennifer Kucukkaya found their stroke from downtown to spearhead an 11-0 run that swung the game in Sweden's favour as they took a 21-11 lead heading into the second quarter. They were

Jan Enjebo's team have won both their Qualifying Round games.

able to cruise from that point onwards.

Impressively enough, rebounding was also at a premium for the relatively short Swedish team, who improved to 2-2 in Group F. They out-rebounded their opponents 55 to 31 with 21 offensive boards.

"We did a very good job of rebounding the ball today but to be honest neither Bulgaria nor we are particularly tall so I wouldn't take it to mean too much," coach Jan Enjebo conceded after his team's win.

Sweden finished the game with only four made three-pointers out of 16 attempts, but the ones they hit came at a good time.

"Even though we don't want to rely too heavily on the three-point shot, it's what works for us and it allows us to get back into a game if we're coming from behind or gives us a cushion if we're in front," Enjebo explained.

The one-sided nature of this game was an added bonus for the eventual winners as it enabled them to rest their key players.

"We were able to monitor the minutes of Danielle (Hamilton-Carter) closely and that is a key for us, especially as we look ahead to our game against Spain," the Swedish coach highlighted.

Cleopatra Forsman had another monster game, finishing with 22 points, 19 rebounds - both game-highs - and four assists just a day after she led Sweden past Russia with a 26-point outburst.

Over the first two quarters, the frontline of Hamilton-Carter, Forsman and Fodgemark dominated the paint at both ends of the court, combining for 27 points and 21 rebounds.

Bulgaria couldn't control the boards and that allowed the Swedes to rack up second-chance scoring opportunities and put the game out of reach early on.

The Swedes took a 42-21 lead into half time and Bulgaria cut the deficit all the way down to 11, 71-60 but it was too late as Sweden were able to run out the clock.
 
Veronika Dzhikova had 18 points for the Bulgarians who are still looking for their first win of the Qualifying Round.