First game for Dkv Joventut: Emir Sulejmanovic against Herzliya — 20 PTS · 7 REB · 2 AST in 18 minutes. Last appearance for Baloncesto Malaga was 2026-05-26. https://www.thisisbasketball.eu/players/fiba-senior-player-189599
Simon Birgander ran the floor perfectly for Dkv Joventut on Tuesday, finishing 7-for-7 from the field for 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 19 minutes — a flawless night that helped the Spanish side hold off Herzliya 86–75 at home in Group H. The Swedish forward's shooting accuracy was the standout: seven attempts, seven makes, zero turnovers, zero fouls. That kind of efficiency, paired with his playmaking and glass work, anchored Joventut's control of the second half. Herzliya kept it competitive through stretches but could not find enough answers down the stretch. The 11-point margin reflects Joventut's steadiness more than any dramatic run. Birgander's mistake-free hand in that balance mattered.
Rubio's orchestration against Francis's scoring punch — that's the plot line tonight in the Champions League. Ricky Rubio is running Joventut's offense with surgical precision: 18 points and 10 assists per game of late, an 83 TIB Efficiency rating that reflects both his court vision and his willingness to make the right read over the flashy one. At his best, he controls the tempo and forces opponents into difficult rotations. Daeshon Francis, meanwhile, carries a different weight — his 2025-'26 numbers (31.2 TIB EFF, 9.3 PPG) showed him as a reliable secondary scorer for Herzliya, a player who can operate in multiple spots and chip in when needed. The battle for control tonight hinges on whether Joventut can impose Rubio's rhythm or whether Herzliya can disrupt it with Francis's movement and spacing. Two different approaches to the same problem: how to generate clean offense in a competition where margins are thin. Tipoff in three hours.
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