Spain enjoy statement win as quartet secure tickets to FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2020

SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - Spain ran out convincing winners in the Quarter Finals to continue their winning run at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship.

They were joined in the last four by France, Russia and Lithuania as the quartet also booked their spots at next summer's FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup in Romania.

Spain produced an impressive display to see off Italy in a 73-53 victory as they avoided a third last eight loss to the same opponents this summer having been beaten at U18 and U20 events.

Claudia Soriano contributed 11 points and a joint tournament-high 7 steals with Spain setting the tone in the first half when they put 50 points on the board in completing the Semi Final lineup.

Russia await next after they came through a thriller against Latvia to prevail 65-63. Kristina Savkovich top scored with 17 points, while Anastasiia Kosu had another huge performance with 16 points, 15 rebounds and 4 blocks - all coming in the first quarter.

Victory was nearly snatched away from them as Latvia rallied from a 21-point deficit early in the third, drawing level in the final period before seeing a potentially incredible game-winner rim out at the buzzer.

Meanwhile, Lithuania reached the Semi Finals at the event for the first time in over a decade as they ended the unbeaten run of Czech Republic with a 72-69 triumph. 

Their star trio starred with a combined 63 points; Audrone Zdaneviciute fired in 26, while Juste Jocyte added 20 points and 10 rebounds with Urte Cizauskaite posting a huge double-double of her own with 17 points and 17 boards.

The win also sees Lithuania qualify for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup for the first time as they set up a last four showdown with France, who overcame Belgium 62-41 in the opening Quarter Final. 

A 21-9 opening was repeated in the third in a decisive spell to fend off Belgium's fightback and France will now have the chance to extract revenge against Lithuania following defeat on the opening day.

The four losers from the Quarter Finals head into the 5-8 Classification Round with one more ticket to next year's U17 World Cup up for grabs.

Semi-Finals:
France v Lithuania
Spain v Russia

FIBA