EUROBASKET WOMEN - Germany stuns Italy in qualifying tournament

TARANTO (EuroBasket Women) - Germany caused a huge upset in the EuroBasket Women Additional Qualifying Tournament on Sunday night as they routed Italy 78-57 on their home floor in Taranto.

Italy, who narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for this month's EuroBasket Women in Poland, were considered heavy favourites as they host Group B of the AQT, but any illusions of easy progress were shattered by the Germans.

Anne Breitreiner exploded for 31 points as they built a big lead early and just kept on pulling away.

Romy Bar finished with 21 points and eight rebounds for Germany, while Lisa Koop had 10 points and seven boards.

Raffaella Masciadri led Italy with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Simona Ballardini added 11 points.

The result means Germany top Group B with a 2-1 record.

They had opened with a comfortable 69-57 win over Belgium behind 14 points each from Bar and Breitreiner but, in the topsy-turvy nature of this group, then went down 65-59 to Romania on Saturday as Gabriela Marginean scored 21 points and pulled down six rebounds while Maria Pascalau added 14 points and Ancuta Stoenescu had 10 for the victors.

The standings have Romania second, but that is only because they have played a game more than the three teams below them.

Either side of beating Germany they suffered defeats, losing 77-64 to Serbia in Friday's opener and then going down 70-63 to Belgium on Sunday.

Italy had thrashed Serbia 76-55 in their opener on Saturday, meaning they have a 1-1 record alongside Serbia and Belgium.

Group A is looking much more straightforward with Hungary on the verge of qualifying for the play-off game after jumping out to a 3-0 start.

They opened with a 68-39 demolition of the Netherlands, followed by Saturday's 68-56 victory over Ukraine.

Sunday's 65-51 win over Finland has now left them in complete control of the group.

Finland are at 1-2 having started with a hard-fought 61-57 win over Bulgaria before suffering an 83-80 upset at the hands of the Dutch.

Bulgaria match the Netherlands' 1-1 record having enjoyed a 70-68 win over winless Ukraine on Saturday.

FIBA