Latvia take care of business, Belgium back after a decade
MUNICH (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - Latvia were able to take care of business in Riga, whilst Belgium set up a return to the Final Round following a 10-year absence.
Belgium knew victory would be enough to qualify as Group G winners and they duly obliged with a 61-77 victory on the road against Poland.
"It was a very good victory," said Belgium's head coach Philip Mestdagh.
"It is a very big step for women's basketball in Belgium.
"We are a young group and I think we can improve and do even better in the future.
"It's our first EuroBasket in 10 years, so we have to be ambitious."
Ann Wauters top scored with a game-high 16 points along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in the valuable win for her side.
We did it!!!! EC 2017 here we come🇧🇪❤️ #winfie #EuroBasketWomen2017 pic.twitter.com/9rYb6mcXpm
— Kim Mestdagh (@MestdaghKim) November 23, 2016
Latvia took care of business to advance as the best runners-up with a 77-66 success over Slovenia - who had already assured themselves of a tournament debut next summer.
Also winning to avoid any complications were Hungary in Group E as they recorded a 49-68 win away at Slovak Republic, who still advanced as a best-ranked runner-up.
Greece endured a bitter-sweet feeling in Kursk as although they suffered a 67-53 loss against Russia, they had still done enough to progress.
Serbia were in a similar position and the reigning EuroBasket Women champions have the chance to defend their title in the Czech Republic despite losing 82-88 at home to Ukraine.
Another team able to secure qualification on their home floor were Montenegro after they defeated Italy 66-57 in Podgorica.
Jelena Dubljevic netted an impressive 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting as her side were made to wait on other results before being confirmed as one of the best runners-up.
As a result of Belgium's victory, the fate of Belarus - who were not in action - was out of their hands but they would end up taking the last remaining ticket.
Israel, Sweden and Croatia were the three runners-up to miss out on a place at EuroBasket Women 2017.
Other Results:
Group B
France 84-65 Croatia
Netherlands 70-43 Estonia
Group C
Albania 55-97 Great Britain
Group D
Luxembourg 54-94 Germany
Group E
Iceland 65-54 Portugal
Group F
Switzerland 48-72 Bulgaria
Group H
Turkey 64-54 Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina 62-80 Israel
Group I
Sweden 94-45 Finland
FIBA
