22/08/2004
Day 5 Women: CZE 74 - NZL 57

Czechs enjoy New Zealand rout

ATHENS (Olympics) - The Czech Republic women are enjoying a revival at the Olympics after winning for a third straight time on Sunday.

By defeating surprise package New Zealand 74-57 behind Hana Machova's game-high 21 points, the Czechs clinched third place in Group B and set up a likely quarter-final against Russia, the team that beat them in a close European Championships final last year.

The turnaround for the Czechs has been a testament to their resolve.

No side has suffered from bad fortune in recent months more than Jan Bobrovsky's team, whose best player Lucie Blahushkova went down with a knee injury and wasn't able to play in Greece.

Blahushkova was the most valuable player at the 2003 European Championships.

At the start of this tournament, they lost in overtime to Spain before falling to the United States.

Three victories on the trot, though, means they have a fighting chance to capture a medal.

"We started this tournament with two losses, but we managed to turn things around and go on with three straight wins," said Czech forward Zuzana Klimesova, a former player at Vanderbilt University in the United States.

"Now we have a couple of days off to get our legs back on track and make our plans to face our new opponent."

The new opponent is likely to be the old enemy, Russia, big favourites against Nigeria in their final preliminary round game but Brazil could upset Australia and if that happens, there would be three teams at the top and a tie-breaking formula which takes into account points scored and allowed by each of the teams would be used.

"We don't choose our opponent," said Czech guard Romana Hamzova. "But maybe we'll play against Russia. If this happens, it will be a repeat of the final of the last European Championships. I hope that we will be the winners this time."

The Czechs took control of this game by going on a 7-2 run to end the first quarter with a 21-12 advantage.

They kept the pressure on with an 11-4 run over the next five minutes to lead 32-16. New Zealand didn't allow the Czechs to run up a big score on them, however.

After trailing 46-25 at half-time, Tom Maher's team battled and closed the gap to 58-43 by the end of the third period but didn't have enough firepower to mount a serious fightback.

"In the second half, we made an excellent effort," Maher said. "I appreciate what my players did, I think it's just unbelievable. If someone had told me six weeks ago we would meet the Czechs and lose by less than 20 points, I'd say he was dreaming."

This New Zealand team won't win a medal, but what they have gained, respect on the international stage, is very important for basketball in the country and Oceania overall.

They have reached the Olympic quarter-finals for the first time with wins over Korea and China.

"One month ago, we couldn't even run plays," Maher said.

From Jeff Taylor, PA International, Athens 

Flash quotes:

Romana HAMZOVA (CZE), Guard
 
On the game: 
"It was a very difficult game for us, especially for psychological reasons. There was a lot of pressure since we played for the second or the third place of the pool. In the first half we had a great performance. On the other hand, in the second half, we lost too many shots and New Zealand block a lot of our fast breaks."
 
For their opponent in the quarterfinals:
 
"We don’t choose our opponent. Maybe we play against Russia. If this happens, it will be a repeat of the final of the last European Championships. I hope that we will be the winners this time".
 
Gina FARMER (NZL), Center
 
On the game: 
"We did not have a good start, we lost too many shots.  But we pulled together for the second half and we had a good pace.  We used the second half as a learning experience and we brought the score closer in the end.  Overall, we are not disheartened."
 
For their opponent in the quarterfinals: 
"It is possible that we will be meeting the Australians in the quarterfinals and we are excited about it.  Of course, we have a lot to do next."
 
Megan COMPAIN (NZL), Guard
 
On the game: 
"We knew that the Czech Republic would be a very tough opponent.  They are a very big team.  We had a slow start and they hurt us both inside and on the break.  They are a great team.  But what makes New Zealand unique is that we have character and we fight back.  We had a good second half, which is an accomplishment for us."
 
For their opponent in the quarterfinals: 
"We might be meeting up against the Australians next and we are very excited about it.   It will be a "down under" match.  Nobody knows the Australians better than Tom MAHER anyway." 

Press conferece quotes:

Leanne WALKER, Point Guard, Team Captain (NZL)
 
"I think that through the whole first round we showed determination and did positive things on the floor, resulting in two wins, while we also fought in the three games that we lost and never gave up. Now we must focus on what we need to do to advance and go as high as we can."
 
Tom MAHER, Head Coach (NZL)
 
"The first half was a disappointing one for us, as we made too many unforced errors and scored only 20 points, with the Czech team killing us on rebounds. In the second half we made an excellent effort. I appreciate what my players did, I think it's just unbelievable. If someone had told me that six weeks ago we would meet the Czechs and lose by less than 20 points, I'd say he was dreaming. One month ago we couldn't even run plays. It's true that we improved a lot. I knew about the Czech team's skills, but I was also impressed by their muscularity, their quickness and their shooting. The fact that we had already qualified did not have an effect on our approach of the game. And I'll tell you, in such tournaments a team like us must be fanatical just to survive.
 
I think it will be a wonderful opportunity if we play Australia in the quarterfinals. And as their former coach, believe me, I know exactly how to beat them..."
 
Zuzana KLIMESOVA, Forward (CZE)
 
"Congratulations to New Zealand for making it to the next round. They did an excellent job and really fought hard. We started this tournament with two losses, but we managed to turn things around and go on with three straight wins. Now we have a couple of days off to get our legs back on track and make our plans to face our new opponent."
 
Jan BOBROVSKY, Head Coach (CZE)
 
"I am happy with the defense we played most of the time. We played hard from the beginning, trying to get on the fast break and score easy baskets. In the third quarter we lost our concentration a little bit, but we got fresh energy from young players from the bench."

Game card...
 
Source: Athens News Service