Today, on 7 February 2025, the opening game of the international tournament between the Women's National teams of Belarus and Russia took place, with the Russian team being one up on with a score of 82:61.
The honorary guests of today's match included:
– President of the Belarusian Basketball Federation, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, Maksim Ryzhenkov;
– Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Belarus, Boris Gryzlov;
– Sports Director of the Russian Basketball Federation, Honored Master of Sports, Olympic bronze medalist, European champion, and World Championship silver medalist, Natalia Vodopyanova;
– Head of the National and Reserve Teams Department of the Russian Basketball Federation, Honored Master of Sports, Olympic bronze medalist, and European basketball champion, Sergei Monia;
– Spouse of Semyon Khalipsky – Stalina Khalipaskaya.
The Belarusian team started the opening game of the Khalipsky Cup confidently, winning the first quarter 19:14. The second quarter was tightly contested, and the teams went into halftime with Belarus leading by just one point (37:36).
The second half proved more favorable for the Russian team, which ultimately secured victory with a final score of 82:61.
The top scorers of the match were Marya Papova for Belarus and Polina Selezneva for Russia.
Special awards from the Belarusian Basketball Federation were presented to the players by Maksim Ryzhenkov and Boris Gryzlov.
A ceremonial farewell to the National Team player Volha Ziuzkova took place during halftime of the opening game of the Khalipsky Cup as she retired from professional basketball. More details here.
RUSSIA VS. BELARUS
Game 1
Score: 82:61
Russia
Head Coach: Alexander Kovalev
Starting Five: Ksenia Levchenko, Nina Glonti, Josselina Maiga, Daria Repnikova, Anastasia Olairi Kosu
Belarus
Head Coach: Natalia Trafimava
Starting Five: Alex Bentley, Yuliya Vasilevich, Maryia Papova
Final Score: 82:61 (14:19, 23:17, 28:15, 17:10)
Top Scorers:
Russia: Polina Selezneva (17 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 steals), Anastasia Olairi Kosu (12 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals), Ksenia Levchenko (11 points, 2 assists)
Belarus: Maryia Papova (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists), Anastasia Verameenka (14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4 blocks), Alex Bentley (11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal)
"We controlled our defense in the first half, played on equal terms, and had the lead. However, the problems began once we allowed free throws and struggled to contain Russia's stronger front line players", said the Women's National team coach Aliaksei Pyntsikau. "We tried to chase them, rushed, and thus made mistakes. We had a strong start, but in the second half, we couldn't make it: when they hit 3-pointers, we wanted to do the same, but we ended up with in 2 out of 17. We wanted a different result, but it is what it is. To move forward and develop our young players, we need to compete at the international level, so these games are crucial for us."
"In the second half, we had serious defensive issues, possibly due to fatigue," said Palina Kastsiukavets. "To be fair, we had very little preparation time for these games, focusing more on offense rather than defense. We needed to build chemistry after a break. It was interesting to compete against an experienced opponent; it's a great opportunity to learn. Of course, we want to play at the international arena, compete against different teams, and experience different styles of basketball. Each country has its own approach to the game. Still, we are glad that, despite the current circumstances, we have an opportunity to compete against strong Russian opponents and gain valuable experience."
The next game will be held tomorrow on 8 February at the same venue, Falcon Club (Minsk, Pobediteley Ave. 20).
Game time: 16:30. Free admission!
The tournament is organized by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus, the Minsk City Executive Committee, the Belarusian Basketball Federation, the Republican Center for Olympic Training in Team Sports ("Palace of Sports"), and Belsportobespechenie. The event is supported by partners and sponsors of the Belarusian Basketball Federation.
REFERENCE:
Semion Khalipsky coached the USSR National Youth Team that won two European Championship gold medals. He also coached the Women’s National Team of Belarus and the top Belarusian Women's basketball club "Horizont." He was a silver medalist of the USSR Championship, a bronze medalist of the Spartakiad of the Peoples of the USSR, a finalist and bronze medalist of the FIBA EuroLeague, and a finalist of the Ronchetti Cup. Among his students were Olympic champions Tatsiana Belashapka, Iryna Sumnikava, and Alena Shvaibovich, as well as Olympic bronze medalist Halina Savitskaya.
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