14 July 2008
CAPE VERDE : Rough baptism for Cape Verde at elite level
Cape Verde now know what it’s like to play at the highest level of the men’s game after suffering a 77-50 mauling at the hands of New Zealand on Monday in Athens.
Playing in the curtain-raiser of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Africans suffered for most of the game and their coach Eric Silva admitted after that his team had been totally out-classed.
“There is a big difference in quality between the two teams,” Silva said.
“This was our first game at that level. New Zealand has played many games in international level - world championships and other major competitions. For us it’s not the same.”
When the game started, there was a bounce in the step of all the Cape Verdeans but it quickly became apparent they would struggle for 40 minutes.
They didn’t score a point until captain Rodrigo Mascarenhas, with New Zealand leading 16-0 seven minutes into the game, went up for a lay-up.
Nenad Vucinic, the New Zealand head coach, tried to offer some words of comfort after the contest.
“I would like to welcome Cape Verde and its coach to international competition,” he said.
“This was their debut and it has been always hard to play in that level.
“I know they are a better team than they showed today.”
Vucinic then spoke of his relief that the Tall Blacks had cleared their first hurdle as they attempt to make it back to the Olympics.
“We wanted to start tough and build a lead,” he said. “Indeed, we ran a good streak to begin the game.
“However, Cape Verde showed their spirit as they didn’t give up until the end and I have to say that as a coach, I never felt comfortable until the very end of the game.”
Now New Zealand will take on Germany on Wednesday in a battle for Group B supremacy, with the losers almost certain to take on Greece in the quarter-finals.
“We have to play smart and tough,” Vucinic said.
“We feel we are in a good position. The team’s rebuilding process is underway. Seven players of our golden age that reached the 2002 World Championships semi-finals are now retired.
“From now on, we play (here) with the odds against us. But, we usually play well in these cases.”
Playing in the curtain-raiser of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, the Africans suffered for most of the game and their coach Eric Silva admitted after that his team had been totally out-classed.
“There is a big difference in quality between the two teams,” Silva said.
“This was our first game at that level. New Zealand has played many games in international level - world championships and other major competitions. For us it’s not the same.”
When the game started, there was a bounce in the step of all the Cape Verdeans but it quickly became apparent they would struggle for 40 minutes.
They didn’t score a point until captain Rodrigo Mascarenhas, with New Zealand leading 16-0 seven minutes into the game, went up for a lay-up.
Nenad Vucinic, the New Zealand head coach, tried to offer some words of comfort after the contest.
“I would like to welcome Cape Verde and its coach to international competition,” he said.
“This was their debut and it has been always hard to play in that level.
“I know they are a better team than they showed today.”
Vucinic then spoke of his relief that the Tall Blacks had cleared their first hurdle as they attempt to make it back to the Olympics.
“We wanted to start tough and build a lead,” he said. “Indeed, we ran a good streak to begin the game.
“However, Cape Verde showed their spirit as they didn’t give up until the end and I have to say that as a coach, I never felt comfortable until the very end of the game.”
Now New Zealand will take on Germany on Wednesday in a battle for Group B supremacy, with the losers almost certain to take on Greece in the quarter-finals.
“We have to play smart and tough,” Vucinic said.
“We feel we are in a good position. The team’s rebuilding process is underway. Seven players of our golden age that reached the 2002 World Championships semi-finals are now retired.
“From now on, we play (here) with the odds against us. But, we usually play well in these cases.”
# posted by afrbk : 22:25
