Mondelo relieved after Spain dodge bullet

BUDAPEST (EuroBasket Women 2015) - Lucas Mondelo paid tribute to the character of his team as Spain dodged a bullet against Montenegro to make the Semi-Finals where they will face France in a repeat of the 2013 Final.

As the smallest nation in the competition, Montenegro endured heartache as they almost caused one of the biggest upsets in EuroBasket Women history before just falling short in a gut-wrenching 75-74 loss.

Having worked their way back from a double-digit deficit, Montenegro had the chance to take victory on the last possession, but couldn't execute as Alba Torrens added a game-winning block in the last second to go with her 28 points.

"This game was very difficult for the team as they didn't play well," conceded Mondelo.

"It was tough and especially in the last quarter, but the important thing in this kind of game when an opponent is taking you to the limit, is to show character and win.

"Now we have achieved our first goal as we came to get Olympic Qualifying Tournament qualification.

"We didn't actually expect to be without any losses at this moment and the girls are working very hard and showing a strong mentality, so I am very happy.

"This is now history for us and we have the Semi Final game, so for sure we are going to play much better," warned Mondelo.

France will have to cope with a potential backlash to their close call during Friday's Semi-Finals after they were involved in a similarly tight tussle with Russia.

Sandrine Gruda was the difference maker as she celebrated her birthday with 23 points in a 77-74 success.

"We won, but it was hard since Russia are a great team with lots of individuals who can switch up a game," reflected Gruda.

"We learned a lot and they showed us different types of defense which we had to read better and work out how to attack.

"Spain are a hard team to play and they have shown in this Championship and in the past, they are a high quality team.

"We have to be aggressive and try to actually stay true to who we were are as a team."

Meanwhile, Turkey kept the flame of their Olympic ambition flickering as they moved towards the coveted fifth spot by taking a 66-57 victory against Lithuania.

Isil Alben starred with a terrific 16 points and 10 assists and Turkey will fight it out against Montenegro or Russia on Saturday to seal the last remaining place on offer for European teams in the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

Go to EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA