<p>Rock Tartu defeated Kalev/Cramo Tallinn <a href="http://www.basket.ee/index.php?mid=13&section=boxscore&gid=2007001224">82:72</a> and won the KML Finals series 4-2. Since 2000, it is the fourth championship title for the team from Tartu. Algirdas Brazys became the first Lithuanian coach to win Estonian championship.</p><p><br />Rock took the 9:4 lead in 1st, after 7:0 spurt. Arbet's triple made it 9:9 as the last time the score was even. The guests continued with 9:2 run and won the firts quarter 27:17. In 2nd, Rock continued to dominate as both teams were having problems in offence. Gert Kullamae and Silver Leppik made the only baskets during almost 4 minutes to take Rock ahead 32:17 - the biggest gap of the game. Kalev repeteadly used the same screening combination to get back to minus 8 - 38:30 but Rock ended the first half with 9:2 run - 45:32.</p><p><br />After the intermission, as a habit in the series, Rock was having serious problems. Kalev made a 12:2 run and the gap was suddenly only 3 points. A helpful triple from Marek Doronin ended the drought for Rock but at 50:47 Catalin Burlacu was fouled out and it became obvious that for Kristjan Kangur, the game was over, too, due to an injury. Silver Leppik hit a triple for 60:50 and Valmo Kriisa also fell out with an ankle injury. Kendrick Johnson ended the quarter with a three-pointer for 60:55 as the fate of the game was still far from clear.</p><p><br />Tanel Sokk, coming from the bench to substitute Kriisa helped Kalev to take the upper hand again as he made a basket+free throw to cut the deficit to 2 points - 63:61 and another for 65:63. </p><p><br />Then the show of Tarmo Kikerpill started. The forward hit a triple for 70:65 with less than 4 minutes left. A minute later - another triple - 74:67. Thus, with 2.18 left, the game was almost decided. Kalev could not come any closer as Kikerpill and Tein made the last baskets of the game to take the title to Tartu for the first time since 2004.</p><p><br />Tanel Tein was chosen the MVP of the final series. He was the top scorer of TU/Rock in game 6 with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists. Kikerpill added 15, 10 of those in last 4 minutes!</p><p><br />For Kalev, Travis Reed made 20 points and 8 rebounds but that was not enough this time.</p><p /><p><font color="#996600"><strong><br />GAME NOTES: <br /></strong></font>The lead changed only once, Kalev/Cramo led 4:2 for the last time... Rock made 43% of three-point attempts in game 6, their 2nd best percentage in finals... Kalev's captain Valmo Kriisa was 11/18 for FG and 14/16 for FT in first three games of the series but only 2/13 and 3/6 in last three games... Rock won all five games (twice in regular season, 3 times in finals) between the teams that were held in Saku Suurhall, the home court of Kalev... For the third time in a row, the team of Tartu (once as TU/Delta), took the title in Tallinn - also in 2001 and 2004.</p><p><br /><br />Photo: <a href="http://www.basket.ee/" target="_blank">basket.ee</a></p>

back

Comments (0)

Add new comment

Teams: Kalev/Cramo
Teams: Rock
Persons: Tanel Tein