Bulgaria – NBL Round 3: #1 Yambol is defeated by Beroe

StjepanTesija After 3 rounds played we can already see who rules in the NBL and who belongs to weaker ones. Coincidentally all hosts won their games. The most crucial game of the last round was a loss of Yambol (1-1) in Stara Zagora on Saturday night. Visitors were rolled over by Beroe (2-1) 102-77. Beroe shot 61.3 percent from the field. They also forced 22 Yambol turnovers. They shot the lights out from three sinking 18 long-distance shots on high 54.5 percentage. Beroe looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists comparing to just 13 passes made by Yambol’s players. It was a great evening for Croatia power forward Stjepan Tesija (206-89) who led his team to a victory scoring 20 points and 6 rebounds (on 7-of-9 shooting from the field). Naturalized Danish forward Tencho Tenchev (202-93, agency: Interperformances) helped adding 23 points (perfect from the field making all eight shots !!!). Beroe’s coach Ljubomir Minchev felt very confident that he used 11 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. The best for the losing side was center Nikolay Varbanov (209-85, agency: Interperformances) with 22 points and 9 rebounds (on 9-of-10 shooting from the field). Beroe are looking forward to face Spartak Pleven (#6) on the road in the next round. Yambol will play against Rilski and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Lukoil Acad. (3-0) managed to deliver another win. This time they beat Cherno More (0-3) in Sofia 87-74. It was a quality performance for Slovenia power forward Sasa Zagorac (206-84) who led the winners and scored 20 points. Asen Velikov accounted for 6 points and 9 assists. Lukoil Acad.’s coach Toni Dechev used entire bench and allowed the starting five to rest. Forward Aleksandar Yanev (203-98) came up with 20 points and 5 rebounds for Cherno More in the defeat. Lukoil Acad.’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Sofia to the arena Levski. Rilski (3-0) crushed at home Levski (1-2) by 29 points 95-66, which is the biggest margin this round on Saturday night. The best player for the winners was Evan Bruinsma who scored 17 points and 7 rebounds. At the other side the best for losing team was Kiril Raykov who recorded a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Rilski will meet Yambol (#4) on the road in the next round. Levski’s supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Sofia Lukoil Acad.. In the last game of round 3 winless Balkan lost to Akademik PL on the opponent’s court 81-88. The most impressive stats of the last round was 24 points and 12 rebounds by Jordan Semple of Akademik PL.Rilski – Levski 95-66Rilski (3-0) crushed at home Levski (1-2) by 29 points 95-66, which is the biggest margin this round on …

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