The national team of Netherlands opened the European Championship with victory. They defeated Georgian national team 73:72. The Dutch coach Toon Van Helfteren considered the reliable play in defense as a major key. The comments of Charlon Kloof (22 points) and Worthy De Jong (16 points) were also interesting.

Toon Van Helfteren: “I am very much obliged to boys. They made their best. Playing well in defense is a trump card of Dutch national team. I am satisfied with the play of back line. Kloof and Worthy De Jong controlled the rhythm well”.

Charlon Kloof: “I am very happy. It was the first match and the victory had a great importance. We showed once again that we can play in team.”

Worthy De Jong: “Netherlands proved that with a team play, it can beat very strong rivals. I agree with the idea that at the end the luck was on our side, however, it is the European Championship and all the aspects can be considered. I think we deserved this victory, because we were ahead for a long time”.

Dato Manjavidze, specially for worldsport.ge from Zagreb