VALETTA (Malta) -  After improving to 2-0 records in the Group Phase on Thursday, both tournament hosts Malta and Armenia advanced straight to the Semi-Finals and are now waiting for the Qualification Games to find out their next opponents.

Malta proved to be the clutch team of the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries 2022. In their opener on Tuesday, the hosts defeated Azerbaijan 73-71, surviving a last second layup attempt by Zaur Pashayev. Then, there were even more heroics in their matchup against Andorra.

Bruno Bartolome sank both free throws to give Andorra a 70-69 lead with just three seconds left to play. Coach Alan Walls however called a timeout, drew up a play and Tevin Falzon delivered the game-winning triple at the buzzer, setting the final score at 72-70.

Andre Spight leading the charge for Armenia

Meanwhile, Armenia were on cruise control in Group B. Led by Andre Spight, who put up 55 points in two games, the 2016 champions blew out Gibraltar by 37, and defeated San Marino by 12, clinching first place in the group.

Armenia will play the winner of the Andorra v Gibraltar pairing in the Semi-Finals. Malta await the winner of the duel between San Marino and Azerbaijan. Both Qualification Games  take place on Friday and the Semi-Finals on Saturday. 

FIBA