Philip II Arena - Skopje, Macedonia

FK Plačkovica (Radovis, Macedonia)

FK Plackovica was formed in 1942 in Radovis, Macedonia a town of 15,000 in the south-eastern part of the country.  Currently, they play in the 3rd tier of football in the country.

August 5/12 - European U18 Women's Basketball Championships - Latvia 73 Austria 32

August 5th, 2012
European U18 Women's Basketball Championships (in Strumica, Macedonia)
Sport Hall Nikola Karev
Latvia 72 Austria 32
Attendance: 20

The last day of the tournament meant a number of classification matches.  The one I decided to attend was the 5th/6th place match because it was at a hall I hadn't seen before.  Again, the weather was awfully hot (40C), and the hall had almost no fresh air coming in.  I don't think I had ever been so hot at an indoor sporting event.

The hall actually belongs to a local high school, and to be fair it was very rough around the edges.  I was actually kind of surprised it was hosting a European Championships.  The seating consisted of a few chairs on an elevated platform.  Almost no one was at the match, just a few locals and some Austrian supporters.

As to be expected the match wasn't of the best quality.  Both teams were tired, hot, and classification matches sometimes have little importance.  Latvia didn't shoot as well in the 2nd half, and the score should have been much higher than it actually was.

August 4/12 - 2012 European U18 Women's Basketball Championships Division B - Scotland 46 vs Switzerland 53

August 4th, 2012
European U18 Women's Basketball Championships Division B in Strumica, Macedonia
Scotland 46 Switzerland 53 (at Sports Hall Park)
Attendance - 45

Strumica is a city of about 35,000 people tucked into the southeastern part of the country.  In the past it has hosted UEFA Cup matches, UEFA Regions Cup qualifiers, and European Women's Champions league.  However, over the past few weeks, it has hosted some of the best U18 basketball players in Europe.

The first game I went to was actually a classification for 15th-16th place.  The day was quite warm, around 37C, which is normal for this part of Macedonia in the summer.  The stadium where the game was held looked old, and slightly rundown.  There was little of no movement of air from outside, so the conditions inside were not the best for playing or for watching.  To my surprise, 30 people (family members and friends)  were at the game to support Scotland, while a half dozen were there from Switzerland.  Not counting these people, almost no one else was at the game.  The local men's first division professional basketball team also plays at the Sports Hall Park.

FK Belasica

FK Belasica are a club in the south-eastern part of the country from Strumica.  For the up coming season, they will play in the 3rd division after being relegated last year.  Only a few years ago they were playing in the first division, and had played twice in the UEFA Cup.  The most famous player to come from the club is Goran Pandev who currently plays in Italy. Unfortunately, the club has run out of money, which reflects their current position in Macedonian football.  I was in Strumica in November 2009 for the Macedonia-Canada friendly, but have recently returned for a month.  In many ways it is now my second home.  Later this month I will attend some of the 2012/13 European Women's Champions League qualifiers in Strumica and Turnovo.