Malta no match for Austria; hosts Moldova open with a win

CHISINAU (FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2018, Division C) – Austria made their intentions clear in the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2018, Division C by getting the action underway with an 89-point statement victory over Group A rivals Malta, while tournament hosts Moldova hit all the right notes against Gibraltar in Group B.

The Aldin Saracevic-coached Austrian side could not have hoped for a better start to their campaign than a one-sided 111-22 victory over their Maltese opponents, as six different players got in double figures in the opening fixture of the tournament in Chisinau. Charis Kluger and Sarah Pia Winkler led the scoring effort with 17 points apiece, while Sasha Lecuyer was the top scorer for Malta with 9 points in her tally.

Charis Kluger was one of six Austria players in double figures

In the other Group A game, Georgia got the better off Monaco, registering a 77-40 blow out thanks to 20 points from Nino Gadelia and a 17-point and 10-point double-double from Maia Dvali.

The opening day's other contests in Group B turned out to be a lot closer, with Moldova and Scotland having to expend considerable amounts of energy to get the job done.

Led by Fiiama Troian's 21-point and 20-rebound double-double, Moldova held off Gibraltar 62-45 with a big fourth quarter despite Adriana Villada and Julia Dona combining for 37 points for the visitors.

Fiiama Troian was the hero of the game for the tournament hosts Moldova

The two met in the wooden spoon match-up of the FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries in Cork on Sunday; Moldova prevailed there too.

Meanwhile, Scotland also began the tournament with a win in Group B, defeating Wales 61-48 in the all-British match-up, Sophie Loughran leading the charge with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals and a block.

FIBA