The men’s national basketball team of Moldova made its debut in the European Championship for small countries, which is hosted for the first time by the Futsal Arena FMF in Ciorescu, with a defeat. The ‘tricolors’ lost to Armenia 64-83, IPN reports.
“We expected the opponent to be more powerful. We know several Moldovan players, but they didn’t show all they can,” Armenia manager Tigran Gekchan told a news conference. The Armenian team naturalized players from the U.S. and seems to be the favorite of the competition that involves eight teams.
Moldova can no longer make mistakes and must win both of the matches that are yet to be played in Group B. In the evening of June 29, the team trained by Vladimir Poleah meets the squad of Wales. On June 30, Moldova plays against Andorra.
The first two ranked teams in each group qualify for the semifinals. The final will take place on July 3. This is the 15th European Basketball Championship for small countries. Moldova won silver medals in two of these competitions.
