KIEV (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers) - The stellar talent of Alina Iagupova was the standout story from the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 Qualifiers window as the Ukraine national team ace carried her country to a stunning win against Serbia on Saturday.

Iagupova poured in 31 points to upset the reigning champions 78-75, as Serbia suffered something of a wake-up call in Kiev as 4,000 buoyant locals reveled in a headline-grabbing success.

There was also a jaw-dropping result for Slovenia in Group A as they made people sit up and take serious notice of their intention to make history and reach a first ever Final Round. They tore down a talented Latvia 69-51, behind a 13 point and 10 rebound effort from the evergreen Sandra Pirsic.

Greece almost pulled off a similarly eye-catching result, but threw away a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter against Russia to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. They were pipped 67-66 and it was another veteran star who shone brightly, with Irina Osipova collecting 15 points, eight boards and four assists to keep Russia a perfect 3-0.

There was yet more nerve-shredding drama in Schio as Italy defeated Montenegro 57-56, with home favourites Raffaella Masciadri, Laura Macchi and Kathrin Ress all starring on their club court –the latter scoring the decisive basket with four seconds left as Italy also picked up a third victory of the campaign.

The trend of dramatic one-point wins continued on an absorbing evening as Hungary made a major step towards the Final Round. They edged out derby rivals Slovak Republic 65-64, as a former Good Angels Kosice favourite Alexandria Quigley denied her old head coach Maros Kovacik with 27 points.

Sweden were left breathing a sigh of relief in their game against neighbours Finland, as they eventually prevailed 59-49 which handed new coach Jurgita Kausaite a first victory in Group I.

Turkey silenced a sensational near-7,000 crowd in Cluj as they shut down Romania 56-45 and vindicated the decision to bring back 2012 Olympian Quanitra Hollingsworth into the mix. She returned a smart 15-point and 7-rebound effort under the hoop as Turkey extended their flawless record.

France are also still unbeaten after Gaelle Skrela and Valeriane Ayayi found their rhythm from the wing and their combined 29 points provided the main thrust behind a 79-70 road success in Croatia. It also heaps pressure on the losing team who are now 1-2, and especially after Netherlands went 2-1 by holding on for a 66-63 win in Estonia.

A majestic contribution from Emma Meesseman allowed Belgium to get off the mark after she recorded a special 29 points and 14 rebounds, to help her team soar to a 100-63 win against Poland.

Elsewhere, there were also much-needed first wins for Bulgaria, Germany, Great Britain, Israel and Portugal, with the next action in the FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 qualifiers window due to unfold on Wednesday.

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