Russia retains 'street ball' title
Published 08 September, 2008, 01:55
Russia has won the annual international 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Moscow for the second year in a row.
The hosts and defending champions had a more physical squad this year. They breezed through the group stage and the quarter-final against Poland before taking on Slovenia in the semi-final.
And after giving up a few quick threes, Russia found themselves 8-2 down and were forced to take a time-out.
After that, the hosts pulled off a 7-nothing run inspired by stellar play from their point guard Mikhail Gunter, while Ivan Mayorov's turn-around jumper in crunch-time sealed the deal and propelled them to the final.
In the final, Russia faced a sharp-shooting Croatian team, and had to come back from behind again.
However, great clutch execution by Mayorov and Alexey Zorin's strong defensive presence made sure the home fans didn't leave Luzhniki disappointed.
Before the final, people with serious hops took centre stage for the slam-dunk contest.
Russia's Alexander Shalygin, Ukraine's Karier Barbarov and Croatia's Petar Kostic made it through to a three-man final, with Costic defending last year's crown.
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