MIES (Switzerland) - Five teams came through the opening day of the European Conference at the FIBA Esports Open 2020 II without defeat, on Saturday.

Reigning champions Italy from the first edition of the event were joined by Germany, Latvia, Spain and Turkey on 2-0 starts.

Group A

Results: Russia 52-61 Germany; Latvia 73-44 Bosnia and Herzegovina; Germany 106-39 Ukraine; Russia 82-59 Bosnia and Herzegovina; Ukraine 45-107 Latvia

Latvia are the front-runners in Group 1 as they won their two encounters by a combined winning margin of 91. They opened with a dominant 73-44 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina before brushing aside Ukraine, 107-45.

Jannis Neumann (@JLB_2K) finished with 26 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals to lead Germany past Russia 61-52 in their opener, while they then followed up with a 106-39 success over Ukraine.

Russia bounced back from their first loss to keep their hopes alive by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 82-59 to finish the day 1-1.

Group B

Results: Ireland 75-62 Cyprus; Cyprus 46-97 Turkey;  Austria 53-44 Ireland; Austria 45-71 Turkey

Turkey lead the way in Group 2 with back-to-back wins, starting with a dominant 97-46 victory against Cyprus.

Eren Demirtas (@IE9RENI) ensured they ended the day 2-0 with 33 points with 7-of-10 shooting from three-point range in the 71-45 success over Austria.

Ireland had secured their maiden FIBA Esports Open victory as they outlasted Cyprus 75-62 in overtime, but then suffered a nine-point defeat in going down 53-44 against Austria.

Group C

Results: Italy 53-49 Great Britain; Lithuania 58-50 Croatia; Great Britain 59-37 Lithuania; Italy 72-47 Croatia

Italy began their quest for another title as they picked up two victories on Saturday. They edged out Great Britain for an opening 53-49 success before a more comprehensive 72-47 win over Croatia to top the group.

Lithuania had started with a win as they beat Croatia 58-50, but came unstuck against debutants Great Britain, with Jamie Bull (@vGooner-) posting 30 points and 6 assists as they won 59-37.

Group D

Results: Czech Republic 59-102 Portugal; Spain 90-35 Portugal; Spain 64-35 Switzerland; Switzerland 48-24 Czech Republic

Spain are up and running in Group 4 as they enjoyed comfortable wins over Portugal and Switzerland. They eased past Portugal for a 55-point victory before recording a 64-35 success in their next outing.

Portugal's heavy defeat saw them drop to 1-1 after beating Czech Republic 102-59, while Switzerland recovered from their loss to Spain with a 48-24 triumph over Czech Republic.

The top two teams in each group will advance to the playoffs to conclude tomorrow's schedule.

FIBA