It’s been a very busy finish to 2018 for youth basketball in Europe and I am back again with the summary of another competition – this time the U16 ‘Olympic Hope Tournament’ from Szekesfehervar, Hungary.
As well as the hosts, Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia were the other competitors for the three-day event. Photos: MKOSZ / FIBA
Final Standings
- Hungary (3-0)
- Czech Republic (2-1)
- Poland (1-2)
4.Slovakia (0-3)
Results
28/12/2018
Hungary 100-47 Slovakia
Czech Republic 98-41 Poland
29/12/2018
Poland 44-73 Hungary
Czech Republic 82-58 Slovakia
30/12/2018
Poland 79-72 Slovakia
Hungary 72-48 Czech Republic
Notable Players
The MVP of the tournament was Zsofia Telegdy of champions, Hungary. She was already on the BlueStar Media radar after playing in the U16 Champions Cup in Sopron which I covered on-site only a couple of months ago and got a mention in the Notable Players section of that report of mine. Albeit she did her best work prior to my arrival. In this competition for her country rather than her club, she showed some great touches and potential. She basically took the honour by way of her super finish as she made 8 of 11 from the floor for 18 points in that resounding last day 72-48 success against Czech Republic.
In a competition which had an MVP plus an All-Star Five, she was joined by her compatriot, Szonja Farkas – a player who had also played in that Sopron tournament and played well, but then disappointed my esteemed colleague Pierre Ploszajski when he was on site in Romania during December’s Balkanic Next Star Cup. In this latest competition she was more effective and even if she only managed a couple of appearances.
The third Hungarian included in the individual honors was Melinda Miklos. She did not show huge numbers, but she did a great job in the backcourt and outshone Virag Pfeiffer who had so impressed Pierre at the Balkanic Cup. Her, 7 steals, 6 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds against Poland epitomised why she was included in the select list. She was also understandably a player praised by her coach more than once.
Czech Republic had two members of the All-Star Five, with the first Lucie Svatanova arguably fortunate to get the nod, but she showed a lot of maturity which did not manifest itself on the stats sheet.
The second was Laura Miksikova who probably produced the most deadly shooting display in the competition as she dropped 12 of 15 from the floor across her three outings, managing to maintain really impressive discipline in terms of her shot selection. She didn’t try to force it and she showed in a big way how she has already had the experience of a #FIBAU16Europe youth summer. She was part of the Czech team that finished with the silver medal in Kaunas. Now the 2003 born talent will be the focal point for her team at the 2019 edition.
Finally, Poland’s Maja Kozlowska of the AZS AJP Gorzow Wielkopolski club took the last slot, after some all-action displays which caught the eye.
Other Observations
When you look at these tournaments collectively, it seems there is a nice familiar pattern which Hungary continue to follow. I wrote earlier this year about how Hungary is probably the most exciting programme overall in Europe and these younger kids are arguably demonstrating it. It is continuing the trend of so many Hungary teams at #FIBAU16Europe #FIBAU17 #FIBAU18Europe and #FIBAU19 in recent times. They are always more like to have multiple capable and talented players, rather than one or two stars who are head and shoulders above their peers like in so many other countries. Both myself and Pierre have seen the good and bad of their leading core, with contrasts. But importantly, whatever the tournament, they generally take turns to shine and so there is less pressure on that one or two biggest stars.
Slovakia have big problems and that is throughout their programmes and has been the way for as long as we can remember.
Czech Republic will always produce effective teams and good players as their #FIBAU16Europe record clearly demonstrates, the big issue is how much you believe they just hit the wall in that last day defeat to the hosts. How much fatigue was involved rather than any kind of big mismatch. Their U15 and U16 kids are looking solid if unspectacular, but their up-tempo approach is more fun to watch than past year. Indeed a Federation steeped in pick and roll traditions seems intent to now play a more expansive and dynamic style moving forward.
Poland look set to be hit and miss as usual. They really should have made their physical advantage pay in the last game against a weak Slovakia but had to dodge a bullet to get the W.
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