Czech Republic reach triple digits again, nobody as hot as MKD's Andrej Jakimovski
ORADEA (Romania) - Six teams are still unbeaten at the FIBA U18 European Championship, Division B, but only one averages more than 100 points per game, looking like a strong favorite for promotion.
Czech Republic scored 117, 103 and 112 points in three games in Romania, blowing out Bosnia and Herzegovina 112-68 to protect their perfect record. Ondrej Hanzlik had 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting in 24 minutes of work to lead his team to three-in-three in Oradea.
Israel are also a 3-0 team in Group C, and Group A is the only other with a pair of perfect teams. Poland and Estonia are one win clear of Belgium, points difference could decide their fate at the end of the first phase of competition.
In Group B, it's all about North Macedonia and their top scorer, while Group D sees Sweden as the lone unbeaten team. Portugal had a pair of shots to send the game to overtime, but missed both of those, with Sverige protecting a 77-74 victory with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals by Pelle Larsson.
Top scorer of the day: North Macedonia defeated Georgia 87-79 because Andrej Jakimovski decided that is what is going to happen. He had 33 points, shooting 8-of-13 from the floor, 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, 13-of-13 from the charity stripe.
Top rebounder of the day: Romania suffered another defeat, as Switzerland outlasted them in a 61-51 duel, but at least George-Cristian Cotoara can say what no other player can - he grabbed 13 rebounds on the day.
Top passer of the day: Israel are looking like the real deal, 97-53 against Iceland makes you believe that the nation could be on its way up to Division A. Especially with Noam Dovrat handing out 7 assists. Kosovo lost 92-79 to Austria, Don Polloshka had 7 assists in that defeat.
Top thief of the day: Emmanuel Chidi Nwokeabia stole the ball 7 times for Switzerland against Romania, with 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists also in his stat line.
Top blocker of the day: Nicolas Petersik blocked 3 shots to help out Austria against Kosovo, Tom Mark rejected 3 shots for Belgium against Poland, but the red-and-white team won the game 65-43, and Max Svendsen erased 3 Luxembourgian attempts to give Norway a 67-42 win.
FIBA
