Dutch Cling On After Late Drama

Worthy De Jong was one of four players in double figures as the Netherlands claimed their second win in a row

Netherlands claimed their second success of the EuroBasket Qualification Round with an 80-74 win against Romania but almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory after a nervous last ninety seconds.

It looked as if the Dutch were cruising at 71-63 but Romania gave them an almighty fright by suddenly finding an extra gear in the closing moments to narrow to 76-74 before the relieved home team sunk the free-throws they needed to get them over the line.

Having lost 90-84 in the reverse fixture at the start of their summer qualification programme, this was essentially a must win game for Netherlands who keep their feint hopes of reaching the Final Round in Slovenia alive.

The hosts edged a tight first half of action by a solitary point before both teams found their range and a new higher tempo after the break although it initially suited Romania who threatened to pull away after moving 46-37 ahead.

Much of that was due to the dynamic play of Titus Nicoara and Vlad Moldoveanu who combined for 41 points but the Dutch showed their resilience by coming back with a devastating 25-5 run either side of the final quarter break.

That gave them the impetus to see the game through, even if they did almost throw it away.

Robin Smeulders harvested 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Quotes Netherlands vs. Romania

Romania head coach Mladen Ostojic
"I congratulate the Dutch team to this win. They deserved it, like we did in our home game. It was close, but Holland scored the important points at the end of the game. They were aggresive and were fighting for 40 minutes. But we can play against this team. Different from the topteams in the group, like Latvia, Bosnia and Georgia."

Romania player Vlad Moldoveanu
"Our game plan did not work. The plays did not succeed and we made a lot of mistakes. I'm dissapointed, but Holland is a good team. We beat them at home by six and now we lost by six, so there is not much space between us."

Dutch head coach Jan Willem Jansen
"We made the game ours in the second half by good defense. The first half was not good, we did not came into the flow we need. There was no execution, so the game stayed tied a long time. I give credit to Romania. It is not done yet, but we have to stunt now in an away game."

Dutch player and top-scorer Robin Smeulders
"We played a hectic game. At the end we were fighting, just like against Georgia. And when we fight we can beat everybody at home."