Galil Gilboa defended the title in EUROHOLD Balkan League after another great final against Levski

Galil Gilboa is once again the champion in EUROHOLD Balkan League. The team from Israel won the competition for second year in a row after defeating Levski 87-79 in a great final game that was decided in two overtimes. A year ago Galil won at home against the same opponent in one overtime and once again this season both teams played an amazing final game, worthy for the end of the season and the competition.
 
In the first quarter the game was even as both teams scored and none could take any big lead. Galil had a slightly better start and went up 8-3 but very soon Levski tied the game. It continued that way until the end of the first ten minutes which came with 1-point advantage for the team from Israel.

Galil scored the first basket of the second quarter but Levski answered with 9-0 run to take a 6-point lead. Soon the team scored six points in a row and went up by 9 and after 20 minutes Levski led 41-33.

With the first basket of the second half Levski took a double digit lead. It didn′t last long as Galil answered right away and with little bit more that four minutes played Rakim Sanders scored a triple to close the gap to 4 points. Soon after that the deficit came down to just a point but Nemanja Protic scored very important 5 in a row for Levski and his team increased the lead. Then Yaniv Green scored a basket and a free throw for Galil but Levski finished the quarter with three straight points and was up 58-52 after 30 minutes.

Galil started very well the last quarter and scored the first 8 points in it to take a 2-point advantage. Levski′s first basket came after 6 minutes and 22 second when Pavel Ivanov scored a three-pointer to give the lead back to his team. Then Marko Marinovic scored another basket and with 1.35 to go Rakim Sanders made only one free throw to make it 63-61 for Levski. Both teams missed in other offenses and with 17 seconds to go Marinovic fouled Yaniv Green who went to the free throw line. He scored twice and tied the game and afte Levski missed the game went to overtime.

The extra time started with a triple by Jamar Smith but Marinovic answered with the same. Later Yaniv Green scored one free throw and then a basket to give Galil a 3-point advantage but with 02.38 to go Nemanja Protic tied score with a triple. Both teams exchanged baskets, then Levski missed and in the next play Yaniv Green was fouled. He missed both free throws but Rakim Sanders grabbed the rebound and dunked. Then Levski didn′t score and Marinovic fouled Jamar Smith. He made his both attempts and gave Galil a 4-point lead with 50 seconds to go. Marinovic also hit two free throws and then stole the ball after which he was fouled with 21 seconds left in the clock. He scored twice and once again tied the game. In the last offense Nimrod Tishman missed a three-pointer and the final went in to a second overtime.

In the second extra time Pavel Ivanov scored two free throws for Levski but later Kenny Hayes tied the score. Then Galil responded with a 9-0 run which decided the game with a little bit more than a minute left.

Top performer for Galil was Rakim Sanders with 30 points and 17 rebounds and he received the MVP award after the game. Yaniv Green had some important plays and finished with 16 points and Jamar Smith added 14 and 7 rebounds.

For Levski Marko Marinovic finished the game with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Mladen Pantic added 17 points and Nemanja Protic had 13.

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FULL STATS AND PLAY BY PLAY FROM THE GAME LEVSKI - GALIL GILBOA