Heartbreak on Valentine's Day for Lithuania and Poland
MUNICH (FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) – It was a dramatic night in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers as Lithuania and Poland found no Valentines Day love.
MUNICH (FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers) – It was a dramatic night in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 Qualifiers as Lithuania and Poland found no Valentines Day love, their Final Round dreams shattered.
Both suffered fatal blows to their Qualification campaigns, with Lithuania perhaps feeling the pain more, since they won't potentially get to hop over the border to Latvia next year. They had to endure the agony of a third gut-wrenching loss in four outings, going down 78-76 in Hungary, with home favorite Bernadett Hatar racking up 20 points.
Poland, one of the continent's leading nations for women's basketball, will now miss yet another Final Round as they slumped to 1-3 with a 71-50 loss on the road in Belarus.
Elsewhere in the competition, a number of still unbeaten nations planted one foot firmly in Final Round, while others face a nervous wait until the November 2018 window.
Group A
Slovakia boosted their prospects with a compelling 100-95 triple overtime success against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Zofia Hruscakova brought the noise with 18 points and 10 rebounds to take her side to 3-1. That is the same record as Montenegro, who waltzed past Iceland 69-37, Glory Johnson contributing 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Group B
Unbeaten Turkey are looking good for a spot in the Final Round as they powered their way to an 86-48 home victory against winless Estonia. However, Turkey will be keeping a close eye on Belarus who are breathing down their necks at 3-1 after that win against Poland.
Group C
Russia are an imperious 4-0 after they overwhelmed Albania 148-35, their superiority emphasized by MARIA Vadeeva scoring 24 points in 19 minutes after going a stunning 12-of-15 from the floor. Hungary may have to settle for runners-up, but will not be giving up on the elusive top prize. They will be thrilled to have eliminated nearest rivals Lithuania by completing a double against their rivals.
Group D
When you win in Portugal and then follow it up with another in Tel Aviv. A magnificent victory and outstanding February #eurobasketwomen window! What a boost for #BritishBasketball - thanks to all the players, coaches and staff! 🇬🇧 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/XnbYPOkbf2
— GB Basketball (@gbbasketball) February 14, 2018
Great Britain were the big winners in Group D as they completed a dream February window with two road wins. They followed up last Saturday's success in Portugal by pipping Israel 76-74. Temi Fagbenle weighed in with a double-double of 21 points and 14 boards, while captain Stef Collins had 19 points and 10 rebounds. New arrival Karlie Samuelson was also highly influential. Greece join Great Britain on 3-1, after they moved past Portugal 81-59.
Group E
Zmagovalni selfi @EuroBasketWomen 🇸🇮👍💪 4/4! pic.twitter.com/rrOlVdGJSF
— Košarkarska zveza SI (@kzs_si) February 14, 2018
Slovenia are 4-0, but while perfect, they had to work incredibly hard to see off Romania 78-70, relying heavily on 24 points from Teja Oblak. France had little difficulty in returning to winning ways as they defeated Finland 90-40, with 27 points from Sandrine Gruda.
Group F
With Spain having outclassed Bulgaria 24 hours earlier, it was the turn of Ukraine to push their foot on the gas, striding past Netherlands 84-49. Alina Iagupova was sensational yet again with 39 points and 10 rebounds.
Group G
Czech Republic are still flawless and ready to make that last step back to the Final Round as they outlasted Germany 82-67, Alena Hanusova continuing her red-hot form with 27 points. Belgium bounced back from last Saturday's, beating Switzerland 98-59.
Group H
Sweden may have saved their skin as they dealt with the pressure of a must-win match-up against Croatia to move to 3-1 off the back of a 63-55 triumph. Amanda Zahui had 11 points and 16 rebounds. Italy completed a comfortable 93-33 lockdown of MKD to go 3-1 as Giorgia Sottana fired in 20 points.
For more on Wednesday's action, check out our Live Updates page.
FIBA