Spain pip Italy in classic; near triple-double for Damoulaki on opening day

HERAKLION (Greece) - Spain and Italy served up an absolute treat of a game with a dramatic ending to get the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship underway in Heraklion.

Spain came out on top 72-71 as Alicia Florez Getino scored a beautifully worked basket on the buzzer to cement a Group A victory. The win was also founded on 20 points from Elena Buenavida Estevez and 14 points from Ariadna Termis Casas,

Spain might have been in less trouble had they not missed a massive 14 turnovers, Matilde Villa showed her potential as she top scored for Italy with 17 points, also handing out 6 assists. In the same group, Turkey outpaced Poland 52-44, with Isik Su Guven pulling down a stellar 17 rebounds.

Georgia Damoulaki came close to a tremendous triple double with a magnificent 17 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for Greece as they beat Latvia 75-64 in Group B. Czech Republic held off Belgium 63-58 for an opening day triumph, founded on 14 points and 10 rebounds from the highly-rated Dominika Paurova.

Elina Aarnisalo produced one of the best displays on opening day with a super showing for Finland

Finland got off to a winning start by overcoming Lithuania 70-61, thanks mainly to a fine 22 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals from Elina Aarnisalo, while Ugne Sirtautaite replied with 18 points and 10 rebounds in defeat. However there was no Nordic win double in Group B after Sweden was toppled 77-67 by Hungary who were led by 19 points from Janka Gyongyosi.

France shrugged off a slow start in Group D to power their way past Germany 59-42. 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals from Leila Lecan was a highlight, with Frieda Buhner replying for Germany with 13 points and 14 rebounds.

Meanwhile Israel also opened up on a positive note with a convincing 87-54 success against Bosnia and Herzegovina. A brilliant 28-4 third quarter blew the game open, with Mika Bitan snapping up an epic 9 steals for Israel. Amila Smajic posted a 14-point and 12-rebou and double-double for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

FIBA