KONSTANTINOS Tsartsaris scored 16 points and Sofoklis Schortsanitis added 14 as the Greek national team defeated Cyprus 76-41 in an exhibition game at the Tassos Papadopoulos Eleftheria Athletic Centre in Nicosia on Wednesday night.
The difference in quality between the two sides was more than evident from as early as the tip-off as the Greeks took a 20-9 lead after the opening period.
However, that did not put off more than 4,000 spectators who enjoyed an entertaining game of basketball.
“There was a huge difference between the two teams. We want to thank the national team of Greece for honouring us by coming here and playing against us,” said Cypriot national team Head Coach Christos Stylianides after the game.
“We tried to be competitive as we want to be ready for the match against Switzerland on August 14.”
The game was organised by the Cyprus Basketball Federation as a part of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of independence from the United Kingdom, but it was also a good test for both countries before some important international tournaments they will compete in.
“It was our first World Championship test. We have not played a competitive match yet, but we tried some things in offense and defense, and I am satisfied that we are on right track,” said Greece Head Coach Jonas Kazlauskas.
The Greeks will participate at the upcoming World Championship in Turkey, that starts late this month, in Group C – alongside China, Ivory Coast, Russia, Puerto Rico and the hosts.
Throughout August, Cyprus takes on Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia in the Qualifying Round of the EuroBasket 2011 Division B.
After the final buzzer, the president of the Cyprus Basketball Federation Giorgos Chrysostomou and deputy chairman of OPAP Cyprus, George Kyriacou, presented Greek captain Antonis Fotsis with a trophy devoted to the winner of this exhibition game.
Greece also received numerous honourary awards before the tip-off.
Vassilis Spanoulis, Georgios Printezis and Nick Kalathis had nine points apiece for Greece, while Panayiotis Trisokkas was the top scorer for Cyprus with eight points.
