Bert went to a Scooore! League Play-Off game in Charleroi, Belgium on May 8th, 2015: Spirou Charleroi vs. Limburg United

Those who attended the third and decisive game of the Scooore! League quarter-final series between Spirou Charleroi and Limburg United on May 8th, 2015, did very well in doing so since high quality basketball was played during 40 minutes. Kim Clijsters, the ex-tennis superstar and wife of Limburg United Head Coach Brian Lynch, arrived at the half-full Spiroudome in Charleroi right on time for the tip-off.

From the very beginning of the game, Limburg United proved that it would not be an easy one for their hosts. Spirou trailed behind most of the first quarter and the scoreboard showed 17-26 at the end of the first quarter. Despite the low attendance at the Spiroudome, you could feel the play-off atmosphere among the fans. The visitors had a great shooting average, especialy from behind the three-point line. Spirou Charleroi of Coach Jacques Stas came close at 30-35 in the second quarter but the Limburgers remained tough in defense and were able to play quick in transition. Despite the great presence of Belgo-Congolese forward Wen Mukubu (University of Alabama-Birmingham '07, born in 1983, 6'6", F) and US duo of playmakers Andre Collins (Loyola College, MD '06, born in 1982, 6'0", PG) and Zabian Dowdell (Virginia Tech '07 and ex-Phoenix Suns in the NBA, born in 1984, 6'3", PG) on the Spirou side, the local team could never overpass their opponents in the second quarter. The scoreboard showed 30-39, 34-43 and 40-47 at the half. The visitors were quite efficient and could count on their US squad to score baskets. Jesse Sanders (Liberty University '12, born in 1989, 6'3", PG), Barry Stewart (Mississippi State University '10, born in 1988, 6'3", SG), Seamus Boxley (Portland State University '05, born in 1982, 6'7", PF), Scott Thomas (Bowling Green State University '12, born in 1989, 6'6", SF), Dane Watts (Creighton University '08, born in 1986, 6'8", F) and Devin Oliver (University of Dayton '14, born in 1992, 6'7", SF) played very well in the first half and looked strong and confident indeed.

Spirou scorer Josh Bostic (University of Findlay, OH '09, born in 1987, 6'5", F), who had been simply perfect with 32 points in his team's win 73-82 over Limburg United in the first game of the play-off quarter-final series, hit several baskets after the break to bring the home team close to the guests. Step by step, Spirou Charleroi got closer and closer and the cheering fans got more and more enthusiastic. The third quarter ended with an impressive series of three-pointers hit on both ends of the court but Limburg United was still in front: 61-64. Josh Bostic, Andre Collins and young Danish international Rasmus Larsen (ex-Vaerlose BK in Denmark, born in 1994, 7'0", C) hit crucial three-point shots to boost the home team during the second half. Spirou Charleroi outscored their opponents 27-21 in the last quarter and had their life made easier when US guard Jesse Sanders, who had been excellent until then, committed his fifth personal foul. Two Limburgers had been slightly injured during the game too: young Belgian talent Hans Vanwijn (ex-Cuva Houthalen in Belgium, born in 1995, 6'9", PF) and experienceed guard Nick Celis (ex-Gembo BBC, born in 1988, 6'5", SG). Spirou big man of Nigerian origin Leigh Enobakhare (ex-BC Oostende, born in 1986, 6'9", C) grabbed crucial rebounds in the last nailbiting seconds of the game and secured the home squad's win by hitting important free throws. Spirou Charleroi finally won the game 88-85 and reached the Scooore! League play-off semi-final stage.

Score evolution: 17-26, 40-47, 61-64 and 88-85.
Best scorers:
Spirou Charleroi: Z. Dowdell 17, W. Hatcher 4, L. Enobakhare 3, J. Bostic 17, T. Francis 7, W. Mukubu 6, L. Schwartz 7, C. Beghin 3, R. Larsen 8, A. Collins 12, S. Massot 4.
Limburg United: H. Vanwijn 3, S. Thomas 17, S. Boxley 9, D. Watts 8, B. Stewart 17, N. Celis 2, D. Oliver 15, J. Sanders 14.

Also to be noted that this Spirou Charleroi vs. Limburg United game was the last one played by the late Danish player Rasmus Glarbjerg Larsen (age 20) who passed away five days later. European basketball and Spirou Charleroi were deeply affected after the unexpected death of the young Danish talent on May 13th, 2015. See the following links pointing to the articles about Rasmus Larsen's unexpected death written by Bert: http://www.eurobasket.com/Belgium/news/404193/European-basketball-and-Spirou-Charleroi-deeply-affected-after-unexpected-death-of-young-Danish-talent-Rasmus-Larsen (on eurobasket.com), http://www.basketme.net/news/spirou-charleroi-devastated-after-unexpected- (on basketme.net) and http://www.basketme.com/noticia.php?id=79463 (on basketme.com).

(Pictures: demorgen.be and lavenir.net)

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