Just two steps to victory.
Day 2 of the 25th Tokimeki Cup 2023 in Fukuoka concluded on Sunday at the Munakata Civic Gymnasium in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
The Tokimeki Cup is a dream stage for basketball aspirants in the Kyushu region of Japan. A total of 24 teams, including 23 teams from the Kyushu region of Japan and the Samsung Basketball Class in Gangnam, participated in the 25th edition of the tournament.
As the final round of preliminary rounds in Groups A, B, C, and D got underway, Gangnam Samsung Basketball Classroom, the only Korean youth team in the tournament, won five straight games to take first place in Group D with 39-28 and 41-38 victories over Blue Shooting Stars and Nishishiro, respectively, in the morning’s fourth and fifth games.
Although the team won both games, the path to victory was not as smooth as the score suggests. Unlike the previous day, the team was distracted from the start of the game and lost the early battles, and although it was expected before the tournament, there were a number of controversial home calls.
However, at the crucial moment, Gangnam Samsung retaliated with their height and organization. In the afternoon’s quarterfinal against Okinawa-based Kakazu, they cruised to a 58-13 victory with tries from every player on the field to advance to the semifinals.바카라사이트
Regardless of the outcome, there were no winners or losers after the game. The Gakazu players were the first to approach the Gangnam Samsung players and give them hugs and handshakes, showing them the dignity of a loser. It was a moment that brought the two teams closer together despite language and borders. The winners, Gangnam Samsung, waved back at the Kakazu players as they left for home, creating a heartwarming moment. After posing for a group photo, the teams left the court with the words, “See you at the next tournament”.
Gangnam Samsung entered the semifinals of the tournament undefeated with six wins in six games. They are now just two steps away from the title. On the final day of the tournament on April 18, the team will take on Miato on the road to the final. The semifinal match against Miato will take place shortly afterward at 10:30 a.m. at the Global Arena.