Greece recover against Iceland to clinch Quarter-Finals berth

SOFIA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, Division B) - Greece had to overcome a double-digit deficit against Iceland to keep their unbeaten record intact at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2017, Division B in Sofia, punching their ticket to the Quarter-Finals ahead of schedule.

Having trailed for most of the encounter, the Greeks stormed back in the second half of play to register a come-from-behind 85-76 victory to improve to an unassailable 4-0 record in Group A.

Andreas Tsoumanis collected 16 points, 16 rebounds and 4 assists to lead the way, while captain Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos chipped in with 17 points and 7 rebounds, as Greece outscored their rivals from Iceland by 15 points following the intermission.

Belgium are now in a prime position to claim the second available spot in the Quarter-Finals in the group after defeating Belarus 90-60 to improve to a 3-1 record, but will still need to hold off a potential Icelandic challenge on the final gameday.

In a game that had no implications for the Play-Off race, Switzerland earned their first win by shaking off Romania 76-74 in overtime after Luca Vasile had forced overtime with a buzzer-beating three-pointer at the end of regulation.

In Group B, the also undefeated Netherlands put their name in the Play-Off bracket as the top seed ahead of time, after hitting the century mark against Denmark in a lop-sided 100-36 victory, paced by Tristan Enaruna's double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds in just 15 minutes of playing time.

Poland had an easy time against Cyprus with an 88-56 win, while Ukraine handed Bulgaria their second loss in a row after defeating the tournament hosts 78-56 with a well-rounded team effort marked by 24 assists and just 9 turnovers.

There is little room for error for the currently second-placed Polish team in their final Group Phase test against Bulgaria, with Ukraine likely leapfrogging them in the standings in the case of a slip-up, unless they too suffer a defeat at the hands of opponents Denmark.

Having improved to a 4-0 record with a 79-42 victory over Norway, Czech Republic are the only other team that can be sure of a place in the Quarter-Finals with the first place in Group C all but wrapped up.

The fate of the second place will be decided in a direct head-to-head duel between Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina after both of the teams celebrated big wins to remain in a headlock in the standings.

The Hungarians toppled Slovak Republic 67-51 to improve to a 3-1 mark, while Bosnia and Herzegovina followed suit by hammering home a 97-71 win over Ireland with Kosta Kondic leading the winners in scoring with 19 points, as well as adding 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Meanwhile, there are, mathematically, two spots up for grabs in Group D, but one of them is almost certainly going to Great Britain, who improved to a 4-0 record with a 57-35 win over Kosovo to get into a comfortable position before the final gameday.

The only way for them to miss out on the Quarter-Finals would be a combination of Georgia winning against Kosovo and Great Britain losing to Portugal by more than 33 points.

The two other contenders in the group, Georgia and Portugal, both moved to 3-1 in the table, with Georgia easing past Luxembourg 77-38 and Portugal defeating the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with a 55-46 scoreline.

Unless Georgia lose their final game against Kosovo, Portugal will need to win against Great Britain by at least 16 points in order to advance to the Quarter-Finals as the second seed.

FIBA