MUNICH (Germany) - It proved to be a super Saturday in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Second Round as a number of teams got rolling with their first wins, while others strengthened their positions to remain unbeaten.
While it's still early days after just two gamedays of the first Second Round, things are already shaping up and the tension and excitement continues.
Meanwhile, Belgium, Finland, Lithuania and Sweden will matchup in the co-hosts group on Sunday, November 15.
Key Storylines
Great Britain come up clutch after trailing Ukraine by 16;
Friskovec drops 33 points in critical Slovenia win;
Monster Cave double-double reignites Croatia's campaign;
Nogic makes it rain with six triples as Serbia avoid upset in Netherlands.
Gameday 8 Highs
Efficiency: Mariella Fasoula (Greece) - 39 Points: Zala Friskovec (Slovenia) - 33 Rebounds: Khadijiah Cave (Croatia), Tetiana Yurkevichus (Ukraine) - 18 Assists: Mihaela Lazic (Croatia) - 7 Steals: Ilaria Panzera (Italy) - 5 Blocks: Multiple Players - 2
Wilkinson hits a game-winner; France fly to another win
Some epic plays down the stretch helped Great Britain claim a memorable 85-83 Group M comeback success against Ukraine. Trailing by 16 they looked dead and buried, but Sydney Wallace came up with the goods in in crunch time with big buckets before Savannah Wilkinson sunk the buzzer-beater that wrapped up an epic success.
Wallace and Wilkinson finished with 29 and 22 points respectively. Hannah Jump played a great cameo with 19 points including 5 triples, while Shanice Beckford-Norton had 10 assists. The loss was tough for Alina Iagupova who dropped 26 points for Ukraine, while Tetiana Yurkevichus had a super 17 points and 18 rebounds.
France flew past Luxembourg 100-49 for their second huge win of the window. The outcome was never in danger after a 20-7 first quarter lockdown and with Migna Toure in form and finishing with a team-high 20 points, the visitors coasted to victory.
Friskovec breathes fire; Cubaj quality fuels Italy
Zala Friskovec chose a good time to produce one of her most memorable moments in a Slovenia vest as she got them rolling with 33 points in a 70-64 Group K win against Latvia.
With both teams knowing each other well from their matchups in the First Round, Friskovec was the difference-maker as she sunk seven triples.
Italy strolled to a 2-0 record with a 71-49 win over Austria as Lorela Cubaj produced the goods. Her all-around performance of 12 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks paced the visitors. A third quarter 16-5 lockdown of their opponents was also vital.
Spain brush past Bulgaria; Croatia rely on Cave clinic
It looked a potentially tricky Group J game on paper for Spain, but they shifted up the gears to take an impressive 85-64 road win in Bulgaria. With the game still tight in the third period, the visitors made their move at both ends of the floor and raced to victory.
Iyana Martin and Raquel Carrera did the bulk of Spain's best work again, with the former netting 26 points and Carrera claiming 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
Khadijiah Cave underlined why she will be a real power for Croatia after putting on a show to take her side to an 82-69 win in Czechia. The recently naturalized star helped Croatia claim a first victory. She starred with 16 points and 18 rebounds, while frontcourt partner Ana-Marija Begic dropped 20 points.
Serbia still flawless; Fasoula is unstoppable
Jovana Nogic erupted for 28 points after making six scores from downtown as Serbia continued their perfect run. Unbeaten in the First Round, and now 2-0 in Group L of the Second Round, they outlasted Netherlands 89-82.
A one-shot game with just over two minutes to play, the visitors delivered down the stretch. Michaela Vanderklugt had 20 points in defeat, helped by a perfect four of four from long-range.
Mariella Fasoula was a tower of strength for Greece as they claimed their first victory by powering past Slovakia 98-70. The center was sensational on both ends of the court and finished with a an eye-popping 26 points and 15 rebounds. Meanwhile Robyn Parks also came to the party with 23 points from an 8 of 11 shooting display.
Germany bounce back; late show helps Hungary
After disappointment at home to Hungary in Hamburg, Frieda Buhner helped her nation respond as Germany reacted with an 88-71 Group N success in Denmark to take their first win. The forward posted a near double-double of 23 points and 9 rebounds, while teammate Alexandra Wilke impressed with 20 points.
Hungary labored against Portugal to ride out 65-56 winners and it took a 21-12 last quarter to get the job done and remain unbeaten. Dorka Juhasz had a big night on the glass with 16 rebounds, while Virag Takacs-Kiss was rampant inside and claimed 21 points and 9 boards.
Montenegro pip Poland; Türkiye teamwork tames Israel
Montenegro showed resilience after a big opening day loss as they came roaring back with what could be a priceless 61-56 Group I victory against Poland. Bojana Kovacevic was the standout baller as she harvested a classy 12 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals.
Türkiye had four players with double-digit scoring returns as they claimed a 76-67 win against Israel. Goksen Fitik came alive to lead the way with 18 points, while Kennedy Burke had an influential 11 points, 6 rebounds, 5 dimes, 2 steals and 2 blocks.
Fixtures
Saturday, November 14
Group I Israel 67-76 Türkiye Montenegro 61-56 Poland Group J Bulgaria 64-85 Spain Czechia 69-82 Croatia
Group K Austria 49-71 Italy Slovenia 70-64 Latvia
Group L Greece 98-70 Slovakia Netherlands 82-89 Serbia
Group M Great Britain 85-83 Ukraine Luxembourg 49-100 France
Group N Denmark 71-88 Germany Hungary 65-56 Portugal
Sunday, November 15
Group H Finland vs Lithuania 15:00 CET Belgium vs Sweden 16:00 CET
FIBA