Day 2 recap: Rare joy for Albania, Belgium win big, more agony for Spain
MUNICH (Germany) - The second day of the FIBA U20 Women's European Challengers witnessed a rare youth success for Albania, a blistering success for an impressive Belgium and more disappointment for Spain
MUNICH (Germany) - The second day of the FIBA U20 Women's European Challengers witnessed a rare youth success for Albania, a blistering success for an impressive Belgium and more disappointment for Spain as they fell to another narrow defeat.
Headlines:
- Famous and thrilling win for Albania against Ukraine in the Yerevan Challenger.
- Brilliant Belgium blow away Latvia in the Sofia Challenger.
- Agony for Spain as they lose another tight one in the Sopron Challenger.
- Luxembourg take a memorable victory in the Skopje Challenger.
Day 2 Standout Performers:
Sofia: Nastja Claessens (BEL) - 35 EFF / 22 PTS / 100% FG / 10 REB
Sofia: Marie Reichert (GER) - 31 EFF / 20 PTS / 11 REB / 5 STL
Konya: Veronika Pavliuchenko (RUS) - EFF 34 / 24 PTS / 82% FG / 10 REB
Yerevan: Camila Martinez (SUI) - 20 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST
Sopron: Aliz Varga (HUN) - 20 PTS / 7 REB
Skopje: Kim Sowa (LUX) - 20 PTS / 7 REB
Sofia Challenger:
Day 2 results: Belgium raced out of the blocks in their opening contest to take a 99-70 success against Latvia behind a super double-double from Nastja Claessens. Germany had to work hard to take a 47-45 victory in a defensively dominated contest with Croatia but had a difference-maker in Marie Reichert. Meanwhile Italy rode past hosts Bulgaria 66-46 off the back of 16 points and 13 boards from Meriem Nasraoui.
Konya Challenger:
Day 2 results: Poland did their best work in the opening 10 minutes against Belarus to lay the foundations for a 71-53 victory against Belarus, Veronika Pavliuchenko starred for Russia with a big double-double as they inflicted a 76-62 defeat of Turkey, while a 20 point and 10 rebound effort from Zoe Wadoux propelled France to an 86-38 demolition of Portugal.
Yerevan Challenger:
Day 2 results: Albania will remember their 80-78 triumph against Ukraine for some time and especially Klea Verri and Mirela Lugaj who spearheaded their nation to success. Switzerland were too powerful for Armenia as they strode past the host team 88-51, thanks mainly to Camila Martinez.
Sopron Challenger:
Day 2 results: There was another tough one to take for Spain as they went 0-2 with another tight loss after going down 68-65 to Czech Republic. Home fans were excited for Hungary as they stayed unbeaten after a hard-fought 61-56 win against Serbia which was paced by 20 points from Aliz Varga. Israel jumped out on Ireland in the opening minutes and never looked back as they won 91-34.
Skopje Challenger:
Day 2 results: Slovakia looked slick in their first outing as they stormed past Kosovo 71-38 in Skopje, while there was a setback for hosts North Macedonia, who went down to Luxembourg 79-55 as Kim Sowa excelled in victory.
FIBA