PRAGUE (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017) - Spain and France are in familiar territory. But opponents Belgium and Greece are in great form, and they’re looking to extend their best-ever finishes one step further.

Spain vs Belgium

Key Matchup: Sancho Lyttle vs Emma Meesseman - With respect to the other fascinating battles on the floor, if Lyttle manages to find a way to slow Meesseman down, or if she can create havoc on offense, Spain’s chances will improve dramatically.

Meesseman leads the tournament in scoring, and both players will have quality support alongside them in the frontcourt. Kim Mestdagh and Alba Torrens will also provide an interesting spectacle on the wing.

Key Stats: Two issues that every coach will preach - rebounds and turnovers. Spain rank second in rebounding so far, while curiously, the Belgian team is ranked dead last despite their superb post duo.

However, Spain’s embarrassment of riches in the backcourt has also managed to give the ball away more than any other team, and Belgium have the second-fewest turnovers, with Julie Vanloo well backed up by Marjorie Carpreaux.

If one team can control or expose one of these factors, it could be crucial to securing a place in the Final.

France vs Greece

Key Matchup: Endene Miyem vs Styliani Kaltsidou - The two wings are vital to their teams' success, with Miyem leading France in scoring and minutes. Kaltsidou was disqualified from the teams' meeting in the Group Phase with a second technical foul early in the second half, which coach Kostas Keramidas cited as having a huge impact on the game.

France have a range of options to use on Evanthia Maltsi, who they will need to find a solution for after her stellar displays in the tournament.

Key Stat: Minutes per game - All 12 players have played every game and averaged at least nine minutes per game for France, with only two (Miyem and Celine Dumerc) clocking in at more than 20 minutes per match.

The Greek team, on the other hand, is heavily reliant on its core four of Maltsi, Kaltsidou, center Artemis Spanou and playmaker Angeliki Nikolopoulou, who all average more game-time than Miyem. Not to mention that they’ve played a game more during the tournament. Will they be able to continue with the high energy levels shown so far, or will fatigue finally catch up to them?

Also look out for:

The winners in the first two games of the day will punch their tickets for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain in 2018.

Latvia will play Italy, who will be hoping young gun Cecilia Zandalasini can continue the form that has her ranked third in scoring for the tournament. Anete Steinberga has notched a double-double in all five of Latvia’s games so far.

Slovak Republic face Turkey, who will be fighting to restore pride after they were overwhelmed by Greece in the Quarter-Finals. Slovak Republic’s hopes start with playmaker Barbora Balintova, who’s averaged almost 14 points and 5 assists per game.

FIBA