|
Lithuania crowned, China 4th at Continental Champions Cup
By Zhao Rui (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-01 05:32
Lithuania clinched the Stankovic Continental Champions Cup by cruising to a 77-73 win over African champions Angola in their last match of the competition yesterday at the Beijing Capital Gymnasium.
 |
| Yi Jianlian fights for the ball as China lost to Australia 71-58 at the Beijing Capital Gymnasium on July 31, 2005. [newsphoto] |
Pocketing a US$100,000 prize cheque, European champions Lithuania won four games over Angola, China, Argentina and Puerto Rico, only losing one match, against Australia, during the six-day tournament.
Arch-rivals Argentina, also with four wins, had to settle for second place because of their loss to Lithuania.
Australia brushed aside China 71-58 yesterday, to claim third place, leaving the Chinese hosts in fourth followed by Angola and Puerto Rico.
"This is a great victory for us," said Valdemaras Chomicius, head coach of Lithuania. "It is obviously an exciting experience to win a high-level tournament here in China."
"I am so proud of my players as they won the game with the best defence I've seen," said Chomicius. "The team played hard and focused, when we do that, we are tough to beat."
Four Lithuanian players scored in double figures. Forward Martynas Andriukaitits, the Most Valuable Player of the event, poured in a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds, Povilas Cukinas added 16.
|
