Sept. 28, 2010
BOX SCORE
OSTRAVA (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Greece edged Canada 57-52 in a do-or-die battle for both teams on Tuesday night at the FIBA World Championships. Gonzaga University senior forward/guard Janelle Bekkering played in her fourth game of the tournament for Canada.
In a gripping first encounter of the day, Greece had to hold on for dear life as Canada put on a late charge after trailing by as many as 13 points in the game.
"Canada fights until the last seconds," Greece coach Kostas Missas said.
"It makes them dangerous. But for the first time in the tournament, we played 40 minutes of tough defense."
Greece had their biggest lead at 42-29 late in the third quarter but couldn't deliver a knockout punch.
Canada closed the frame on an 8-2 run and then Kimberly Smith's basket at the beginning of the fourth reduced the arrears to 44-40.
A Stella Kaltsidou three-ball for Greece stopped the bleeding but Canada kept the game close and pulled to within 53-52 with 33 seconds to play.
Greece then used most of the shot clock before Pelagia Papamichail found herself open from 12 feet and buried a jump shot to take the lead to 55-52.
Coming out of a timeout, Greece committed one foul but then allowed Kaela Chapdelaine to get open in front of the Canada bench.
Chapdelaine's shot from the arc rimmed out and Olga Chatzinikolaou grabbed the rebound and was fouled.
She made both free-throws for the final score.
Papamichail hit some big shots at least year's EuroBasket Women when Greece finished fifth to earn a trip to the World Championship.
The one she hit with 14 seconds to go on Tuesday, however, was as important as any that she's ever made.
"It happened that it was me that was free so I just took the shot. You don't think at these moments. It was a team job - otherwise I wouldn't have been alone."
Missas said the Greek approach had been crucial in the final minute.
"We had patience on offense," he said.
"We were patient and found the right player to score at the right moment. I think the big difference between us and Canada was the experience."
Greece point guard Dimitra Kalentzou, who had ankle surgery earlier this summer and also hurt her knee while playing in Group B, hit some big shots against Canada and finished with 11 points.
Lizanne Murphy, who had eight points for Canada, said: "Lisa Murphy: We knew coming into this game it was going to be a battle and come to the last couple of minutes, who can make shots and stops. I hand it to Greece - we tried to focus on their top two players (Evina Maltsi and Kaltsidou) but they came out and were able to hit shots.
Canada (1-4) will face France (2-3) on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. local (12:00 ET), in the final game of the eight-final round. The ladies are familiar with France's game, having played the national team squad in an exhibition tournament earlier this summer.
