MUNICH (Germany) - The opening matchups of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Second Round provided plenty of excitement and talking points as teams resumed their quest to make next year's showpiece.
A total of 24 teams are doing battle and fighting it out for the 12 tickets on offer with the Second Round already showing it's going to be an epic rollercoaster ride.
Meanwhile, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania and Sweden will take to the floor against each other in the co-hosts group on Thursday November 12.
Key Storylines
Lelik's 11 dimes are difference-maker as Hungary defeat Germany;
Pan and Pasa prove to be game-winners as Italy post winning start;
Poland put on a late show to complete big comeback in Israel;
Hometown hero Martin helps Spain's avoid a shock loss;
Bulgaria's one-two punch of Hristova and Hillsman hits the heights.
Gameday 7 Highs
Efficiency: Marine Fauthoux (France) - 34 Points: Borislava Hristova (Bulgaria), Masa Jankovic (Serbia) - 28 Rebounds: Julianna Okosun (Denmark) - 16 Assists: Reka Lelik (Hungary) - 11 Steals: Iyana Martin (Spain), Tetiana Yurkevichus (Ukraine) - 5 Blocks: Aleksa Gulbe (Latvia) - 4
Lelik drives Hungary in Hamburg; Rodrigues rises up
Reka Lelik turned up the dial for Hungary with a brilliant 18 points and 11 assists as they won an entertaining clash 70-64 in Germany.
Supported by 13 points and 11 boards from Virag Takacs-Kiss and 14 points and 9 rebounds from Dorka Juhasz, the visitors had too much. Leonie Fiebich was the pick for Germany with 19 points and 8 boards.
In the other Group N game, there was an excellent 79-62 road win for Portugal in Denmark. Their victory was founded on 24 points and 7 assists from Carolina Rodrigues. The loss was tough for in-form Danish ace Julianna Okosun 16 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists.
Spain survive major scare; Bulgarian duo light it up
There was drama in Group J as hometown favorite Iyana Martin returned to Oviedo to help Spain take a dramatic 73-71 win against an injury hit Czechia. The guard accrued a game-high 18 points as well as 6 assists and 5 steals.
With the visitors missing their three headline ballers, the rest of the Czechia team performed brilliantly in their absence to almost complete a surprise. They were led by 16 points from the experienced Petra Holesinska.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria were powered by a pair of majestic displays from Borislava Hristova and Khaalia Hillsman who combined for 52 points to take down Croatia 91-74. The former dropped a sparkling 28 points, with Hillsman adding 24 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Relief for Italy; Gulbe block party
It was a hard-fought and frantic contest, but Italy pulled out a narrow 67-62 win against Slovenia in Terni to celebrate a winning start in Group K.
Francesca Pan dropped 17 points in a 7 of 10 shooting performance that proved to be vital in the context of a closely contested encounter when Italy struggled from long-range.
Her mid-range game was a key factor in victory, while one of just three triples that were sunk all night, Francesca Pasa made a pricless score from downtown with 90 seconds remaining.
Latvia produced a hard-earned 81-66 win against Austria and that was largely down to their defensive work, led by Aleksa Gulbe.
The forward finished with four blocks in the contest, as well as 14 points, with Kate Vilka racking up an eye-catching 18-point haul.
Five star late show for Poland; Bayram at the double
Poland came roaring back from a double-digit deficit against Israel to record a 75-64 win. It was founded on a superb 26-9 last quarter and also 21 points from Klaudia Wnorowska.
A combined 21 rebounds for Stephanie Mavunga and Kamila Borkoswka was also vital in maintaining Poland's winning momentum from the First Round.
Elif Bayram put in a positive showing for Türkiye as they tipped off their Second Round campaign with a convincing 79-62 victory against Montenegro.
Her 18 points and 10 rebounds were the highlight, along with a smart 13 points from Kennedy Burke. Meanwhile, Taya Davis-Reimer added 22 points for Montenegro.
Marine masterclass beats Brits; Yurkevichus is dominant
A standout display from Marine Fauthoux paced a fabulous 104-57 Group M triumph for France against Great Britain.
The guard was unstoppable and pulled the strings to finish with 23 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. It was Aminata Gueye who played the cameo with 17 points and 10 boards as the hosts dominated their opponents.
In the other matchup in Group M, it was a fine 18 points and 13 points, as well as 5 steals from Tetiana Yurkevichus that took Ukraine past Luxembourg 64-52. Alina Iagupova also weighed in with 20 points, 8 boards and 8 assists.
Jankovic lives up to billing; Dutch twin towers shine
Masa Jankovic was touted as the player to watch for Serbia after impressing in the First Round and she picked up where she left off with another superb display.
She harvested 28 points to take her country to a positive 84-74 Group L win against Greece. Robyn Parks led the resistance in defeat with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
Netherlands got off to an important winning start by beating Slovakia 80-69. The basis for their victory came their from frontcourt pair as Emese Hof added 12 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, with Kourtney Treffers amassing 21 points.
Fixtures
Tuesday, November 10
Group J Spain 73-71 Czechia
Wednesday, November 11
Group I Türkiye 79-62 Montenegro Israel 64-75 Poland Group J Bulgaria 91-74 Croatia
Group K Austria 66-81 Latvia Italy 67-62 Slovenia
Group L Serbia 84-74 Greece Netherlands 80-69 Slovakia
Group M France 104-57 Great Britain Luxembourg 52-64 Ukraine
Group N Denmark 62-79 Portugal Germany 70-64 Hungary
Thursday, November 12
Group H Lithuania vs Finland 17:30 CET Belgium vs Sweden 20:30 CET
FIBA