Iceland – Dominos League Round 7: Tindastoll hands first loss to Stjarnan

The fans could enjoy quite many interesting games in the last round. The round ended with loss of the undefeated team, derby games, favorites losing the games and games ending by tiny margin.The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Stjarnan (6-1) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Tindastoll (5-2) 91-83. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Stjarnan. The guests started the game with a very strong first quarter 27-18. But Stjarnan won second period 21-19. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Tindastoll looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by Stjarnan helped opponents get some easy free throw opportunities. Worth to mention a great performance of American forward Antonio Hester (198-90, college: Mobile, AL) who helped to win the game recording a double-double by scoring 28 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Petur Birgisson (185-96) contributed with 20 points, 11 assists and 5 steals for the winners. The former international point guard Justin Shouse (181-81, college: Mercyhurst) answered with 29 points and 6 assists for Stjarnan. Tindastoll moved-up to third place, which they share with Grindavik. Stjarnan at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. They share it with KR. Tindastoll is looking forward to face Thor Thorl (#5) in Thorlakshofn in the next round. Stjarnan will play on the road against Skallagrimur (#7) in Borgarnes and is hoping to win this game. Another exciting game was a derby match between two teams from Reykjavik: KR (#2) and IR (#8). IR was crushed at home by 16 points 78-94 and even the advantage of their own court did not help. It was a great evening for the former international forward Sigurdur Thorvaldsson (201-80) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points and 10 rebounds. Darri Hilmarsson helped adding 22 points and 4 assists. At the losing side American guard Matthew Hunter (196-90, college: Cent.Conn.St.) responded with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Both coaches used bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Defending champion (6-1) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with Stjarnan. IR lost third consecutive game. They dropped to the tenth place with five games lost. They share the position with Haukar. KR will play against Njardvik (#6) in Njardvik in the next round which should be theoretically an easy game. IR will play on the road against Thor AK (#9) in Akureyri and it may be a tough game between close rivals. Bottom-ranked Snaefell is still unable to win any game. This time they could not use their home court advantage losing their seventh consecutive match to ninth ranked Skallagrimur (3-4) 115-112 on Thursday evening. It was an exceptional evening for Flenard Whitfield who led the winners with a double-double by scoring 42 points (!!!) and 11 rebounds. Skallagrimur’s coach Finnur Jonsson used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. Sefton Barrett came up with a double-double by scoring 31 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals for Snaefell in the defeat. Skallagrimur moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Snaefell still closes the standings with seven games lost. Skallagrimur will meet at home league’s second-placed Stjarnan in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Snaefell will play against Grindavik (#3) and hopes to get finally their first victory.The game in Keflavik was also worth to mention about. Third ranked Grindavik (5-2) played at the court of 6th ranked Keflavik (3-4). Grindavik managed to secure a 6-point victory 102-96. Olafur Olafsson fired 25 points and 5 rebounds for the winners. Keflavik’s coach Sigurour Ingimundarson rotated ten players in this game, but that didn’t help. Grindavik have a solid series of three victories in a row. They maintain third place with 5-2 record behind leader KR, which they share with Tindastoll. Keflavik at the other side keeps the sixth position with four games lost. Grindavik’s next round opponent will be bottom-ranked Snaefell (#12) in Stykkisholmur and are hoping to win another game. Keflavik will play on the road against Haukar (#10) in Hafnarfjordur and hope to win that game. The game in Njardvik was also quite interesting. 7th ranked Haukar (2-5) played at the court of eighth ranked Njardvik (3-4). Njardvik defeated Haukar 98-88 on Wednesday. It was a very good performance for Logi Gunnarsson who helped to win the game recording 34 points (!!!). Njardvik moved-up to sixth place, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Haukar dropped to the tenth position with five games lost. Njardvik will face league’s leader KR in Reykjavik in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Haukar will play at home against Keflavik (#8) and it may be a tough game between close rivals. In the last game of round 7 Thor Thorl was beaten by Thor AK on the road 80-69. The most impressive performance of 7th round was 18 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists by Darrel Lewis of Thor AK.Stjarnan – Tindastoll 83-91The most crucial game of the last round was the first loss of Stjarnan (6-1) at the home court on Friday night. Hosts were defeated by fourth ranked Tindastoll (5-2) 91-83. It ended at the same time the six-game winning streak of Stjarnan. The guests started the game with a very strong first quarter 27-18. But Stjarnan won second period 21-19. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Tindastoll looked well-organized offensively handing out 24 assists. 25 personal fouls committed by …

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