MUNICH (Germany) - An unforgettable opening FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers First Round window slammed shut on Tuesday night with more incredible performances and results to reflect on.
Mirroring the theme of the first two gamedays, there was no let up in the levels of excitement, the need for nail-biting or the script being torn up.
Key Storylines
Netherlands get rolling with a huge first win against previously perfect Slovenia;
Underdogs Austria beat neighbors Switzerland to move to incredible 3-0 record;
Israel scrape past Ireland in overtime as Raber shows out once again.
Gameday 3 Highs
Efficiency: Kyra Lambert (Slovakia) - 26 Points: Alexia Allesch (Austria) - 26 Rebounds: Alexia Allesch (Austria) - 15 Assists: Anzhelika Liashko (Ukraine); Sigrid Koizar (Austria) - 10 Steals: Multiple Players - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 2
Hof a tower of strength as Netherlands make it third time lucky
Having opened up their campaign with a pair of losses, Netherlands have breathed life into their hopes of advancing after taking a fantastic 86-76 Group B success over Slovenia. It was founded on a stunning display from center Emese Hof who was too-hot-to handle for the Slovenian defense.
She accumulated a stellar 13 of 16 shooting night, eventually racking up 29 points and also adding 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Laura Cornelius also stepped up with an eye-catching 19 points and 9 assists. It could have been even worse for Slovenia had they not halved the gap by outscoring their hosts 15-4 in the last moments.
Austria in dreamland after derby win keeps them undefeated
There can't have been many people that truly though Austria could and would end this window with a hat-trick of victories and be sat proudly at the top of Group D. To make it extra sweet, they completed the job to stay unbeaten with a commanding 97-78 derby victory against Switzerland.
Alexia Allesch provided the foundation with a majestic double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Sarah Sagerer impressed as ever with 23 points, while backcourt partner Sigrid Koizar dished out 10 dimes.
Israel win OT thriller against warrior-like Ireland
Israel will be breathing a sigh of relief after dodging what could have been a costly home loss to Ireland, who despite being without star baller Claire Melia, pushed their rivals all the way into overtime. Israel eventually came out on top 93-86 as they moved to 3-0 in Group A.
As in previous games, Daniel Raber did the bulk of the damage, this time coming up with another power-packed performance. She eventually stepped off the floor with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists to her name. Abigail Meyers added a double-double of 23 points and 11 boards - while Dorian Dahan Sujic had 18 points and 8 assists.
Results
Tuesday, November 18
Group A Luxembourg 75-39 Bosnia and Herzegovina Israel 93-86 Ireland Group B Latvia 89-47 Estonia Netherlands 86-76 Slovenia Group C Romania 56-88 Slovakia Poland 96-52 Cyprus
Group D Norway 48-91 Great Britain Switzerland 78-97 Austria
Group E Ukraine 98-34 Azerbaijan Bulgaria 66-62 Montenegro
Group F Denmark 83-97 Greece Croatia 83-55 North Macedonia
Group G Portugal 100-70 Iceland
FIBA