Rīgas Zeļļi suffered an 87-86 defeat against Rostock Seawolves in their second EuroCup group stage match, falling short after a dramatic final-second finish.
Tony Perkins Scores 35 Points in Defeat
Tony Perkins delivered a standout performance for the Latvian club, scoring 35 points, grabbing six steals, and drawing nine fouls, according to match reports. Martins Varns added 24 points to the visitors’ tally, while Ivans Tkačenko contributed from beyond the arc. Despite the offensive load carried by Perkins and Varns, Rīgas Zeļļi could not maintain their late-game composure in the closing seconds of the Group A fixture.
Early Deficit Leads to First-Quarter Surge
The visiting side faced an early 13-point deficit in the opening minutes before mounting a 21-2 run to seize control. Rīgas Zeļļi closed the first quarter ahead 26-20. However, Rostock Seawolves responded in the second quarter, building a nine-point advantage before a 10-0 run from the Riga team restored a narrow margin. The German side held a 42-41 lead at halftime following a choppy period marked by administrative delays at the scorer’s table.
Late-Game Execution Flaws Cost Riga the Lead
The lead changed hands multiple times throughout the third quarter, with Rīgas Zeļļi entering the final ten minutes holding a two-point edge. The hosts reclaimed the advantage 74-67 before Perkins leveled the score at 81-81 with under three minutes remaining in regulation. With less than a minute left on the clock, Rostock pushed ahead by two points. Following missed scoring opportunities by the visitors, Varns hit a three-pointer on the final buzzer, leaving the Seawolves with a narrow 87-86 victory.
Coach Roks Kondratavičs Assesses the Performance
Rīgas Zeļļi head coach Roks Kondratavičs addressed the media after the match, stating that the outcome was not solely determined in the game’s final minute. The coach pointed to defensive lapses in letting Rostock’s key players find an early rhythm. Kondratavičs noted that small details and communication breakdowns proved decisive against skilled opponents capable of punishing minor errors.
EuroCup Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
The defeat marks the first loss in the tournament for Rīgas Zeļļi, who opened their debut EuroCup campaign last week with an 86-84 home victory over Italian side Tortonas “Derthona”. Rīgas Zeļļi is the first Latvian club to participate in the EuroCup since 2015. The team returns to action on October 14, hosting Slovenian club Ļubļanas “Olimpija”, featuring Latvian national team captain Rihard Lomažs.
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