Hosts Slovenia keep rolling at U18 European Championship Women, more overtime for Spain
CELJE (2015 U18 European Championship Women) - Host nation Slovenia ended the First Round with a flourish by beating Belgium, while Spain were pushed to overtime before securing victory for the second day
CELJE (2015 U18 European Championship Women) - Host nation Slovenia ended the First Round with a flourish by beating Belgium, while Spain were pushed to overtime before securing victory for the second day in a row on Day 3 of the U18 European Championship Women in Celje.
Inspired by the great support they received, the home team held on in the fourth quarter to take a 68-59 win over Belgium, Annamaria Prezelj instrumental again with 22 points. Both teams qualify for the Second Round from Group C alongside Hungary, who beat Serbia 77-56 led by 17 points from Virag Weninger.
Slovenia's record of three wins from the first three games is matched by Spain, although the Spanish team have done it the hard way in Group B, following a large comeback against Russia on Thursday with overtime wins against Poland on Friday and Portugal on Saturday.
Angela Salvadores led Spain with 22 points as they finally shook off their Iberian rivals for a 66-61 victory. Russia joined the pair in the Second Round after crushing Poland 85-37, Yulia Kozik top-scoring with 14 points.
France are the other team remaining with a 100 percent record after they cruised to a comfortable 56-31 win over Israel in Group A, Alexia Chartereau and Lisa Berkani notching 13 points apiece. The two teams are joined in the Second Round by Italy, who pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Lithuania 85-65. Rachele Porcu was perfect from the field in notching a game-high 21 points.
Czech Republic handed Netherlands their first loss of the tournament, hanging on after a flying start to take a 60-55 victory. Star center Julia Reisingerova had a huge double-double with 17 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in the win. The defeat enabled Croatia to claim top spot in Group D with a 64-49 win over Estonia, led by 17 points apiece from Ivana Dojkic and Iva Slonjsak.
Second Round action begins on Monday with France and Spain holding a 2-0 record at the top of Group E. They are joined by Italy, Russia, Israel and Portugal, while Group F will be contested by Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Croatia, Netherlands and Czech Republic.
Lithuania, Poland, Serbia and Estonia will play each other in Group G to determine positioning for the relegation play-offs later in the week.
Go to http://u18women.fibaeurope.com/en/default.asp for complete coverage of the 2015 U18 European Championship Women.
FIBA