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28 June, 2016
03 July
8 Amy Waters (IRL), Ireland v Andorra
03/07/2016
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Impressive Ireland and Malta to battle for gold

GIBRALTAR (FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries 2016) - Ireland and Malta had no trouble in their respective Semi-Finals against Andorra and Moldova. Both teams remained perfect at the tournament ahead of their Sunday showdown.

Malta held Moldova under ten points in each of the last three quarters for a 90-30 win. All 12 players got on the scoresheet for Malta, but Stephanie De Martino was the game hero. De Martino almost outscored the whole Moldova team, as she needed less than 19 minutes of play to produce 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.

Christina Grima and Ashleigh Stephanie Vella were also in double figures with ten minutes each. Coach Angela Adamoli gave each player at least ten minutes on the floor, with Grima playing a team-high 22:28 minutes. Ala Gavrilita scored ten of Moldova's 30 points on the night.

Ireland also managed to give the starters some rest, as they cruised to an 86-45 success against Andorra. The middle two quarters were key, Ireland winning them by a combined score of 41-15, before taking the foot off the gas in the last ten minutes.

Aoife McDermott collected a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, seven of them being at the offensive end. Grainne Dwyer and Sarah Woods had 11 points apiece. Claudia Brunet Solano was the best performer for Andorra, ending with ten points.

Sunday's programme will see Gibraltar and Wales in the fifth place game, followed by Andorra and Moldova in the bronze medal match. The 2016 FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries will end with a battle of unbeaten teams. Malta last won the title in 2010. Ireland had three consecutive silver medals from 1989 to 1993.

FIBA