Eurobasket bronze goes to Russia
Russia`s point guard Aleksey Shved scored the last four points of the game against Macedonia to give his team the bronze medal at the Eurobasket.
The 22-year-old sank a short jumper with 27 seconds left and made two free throws after Macedonia`s Damjan Stojanovski missed a short jumper with seven seconds left.
A few moments later, Andrey Kirilenko grabbed the rebound and Shved was sent to the line, where he sank both free throws.
As usual, Kirilenko was all business, racking up 21 points for Russia. He was well supported by Russia`s big men, Timofey Mozgov and Andrey Vorontsevich. Mozgov finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds, going four-of-four from the floor, while Vorontsevich had 10 points and 7 rebounds. While American-born guard Bo McCalebb led Macedonia with 22.
"Back in 2007 nobody expected we could win Eurobasket. Ahead of this year`s tournament the odds were different. Our team was reckoned with, we were among the favorites. In the end we managed to meet the expectations and prove that Russia is one of the best in Europe," Kirilenko told after the game.
In the final game of the tournament Spain beat France 98-85 to keep the title.
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