Hungary rally for victory over Lithuania in Qualifiers opening day highlight

KEDAINIAI (FIBA EuroBasket Women 2019 Qualifiers) - Hungary started their campaign in style with victory on the road against Lithuania on Saturday.

Cyesha Goree scored 21 points to help her side upset the home crowd with Hungary one of 16 victors on Gameday 1. The visitors needed a strong finish, with a 13-21 final quarter effort enough to overcome Lithuania for a 70-73 triumph.

Also in Group C, Russia were emphatic victors against Albania as they dominated from start to finish in a 37-122 win.

Group A
Jelena Dubljevic fired in 30 points on 11-of-14 shooting to lead Montenegro to an opening victory as they defeated Iceland 62-84 on the road.

Bosnia and Herzegovina defended their home court as they earned a 79-67 victory over Slovak Republic behind 27 points from Milica Deura, with Marica Gajic adding 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Group B
Turkey opened their campaign with five players in double figures in a 56-81 success in Estonia, while Belarus recorded a 62-70 triumph away against Poland, as Anastasiya Verameyenka netted 16 points.

Group D
Greece used a strong start as a platform for their 60-66 win away at Portugal as Styliani Kaltsidou led her team with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

Great Britain came through a thrilling encounter in Manchester as they prevailed 90-87 against Israel in overtime. Jo Leedham stepped up with 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting along with 13 boards in the win, while it was Chantelle Handy's clutch triple that forced the extra period.

Group E
France - runners-up at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017 - began their qualification campaign with a routine 44-103 victory against Finland. Sandrine Gruda starred with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, with Endene Miyem adding a further 16 points as five players in total hit double figures in the win.

Slovenia made a winning start with Eva Lisec going 11-of-14 from the field in a 26-point display as they overcame Romania on the road, 59-80.

Group F
Defending champions Spain posted a convincing 42-92 win against Bulgaria with Laura Nicholls top scoring with 14 points.

Elsewhere, Alina Iagupova netted 33 points to lead Ukraine to a 58-72 win away at the Netherlands, with a strong second-half performance.

Group G
Belgium also produced an impressive display on the road as they took down Switzerland, 56-85, with Emma Meeseman netting 26 points in 24 minutes of action.

Alena Hanusova's 21 points helped Czech Republic ease to a 56-89 victory away at the Federal Republic of Germany after the two sides were locked at 36 at the half.

Group H
Sweden edged out Croatia for a thrilling 54-57 success away from home with a stellar 18-point, 17-rebound double-double from Amanda Zahui leading the way.

Italy also made a winning start as they overcame The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for a 52-61 road victory.

FIBA