×
09 - 17
July 2016
15 Daugile Sarauskaite (LTU)
14/07/2016
News
to read

Lithuania host a block party, one more Semi-Final spot remaining

PODGORICA (FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2016 Division B) - Hungary, Lithuania and Slovenia are already through to the Semi-Finals. The one remaining spot will go to either Czech Republic or Romania.

Hungary booked their place with a dominant 66-47 win over Romania in Group E. The first quarter finished with a 17-7 lead for Hungary, and the lead kept growing all the way to 51-31 at the end of the third period. Eniko Kuttor led the way with a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double, and Debora Franciska Dubei added 10 points for Hungary.

Ioana Andreea Ghizila connected on three three-pointers for Romania, who have the most important game of the Championship ahead of them. A win against Czech Republic will put them in the Semi-Finals, a loss will put their Division A aspirations on ice for at least one more year.

Czech Republic enter the impending match-up on a high, after beating Croatia 97-47. They got the job done in quarters one and three, winning them by a combined 45 points. Petra Holesinska scored 23 points in just 19 minutes of play, Eliska Mircova shot 6-of-6 from the field to finish with 16 points in 18 minutes. Gabriela Andelova collected 12 points for the Czechs. Their defence was also on a high level, as Iva Slonjsak, Croatia's best player, was held to just four points and a 1-of-9 shooting day.

Lithuania and Slovenia will fight for first place in Group F. Lithuania held a block party in Podgorica, winning the blocking battle 10-0 against the hosts of the Championship. Their 84-60 win over Montenegro also meant the home team will not be playing in the Semi-Finals.

Daugile Sarauskaite was the biggest obstacle under the Lithuanian basket. Sarauskaite finished with nine blocks, and she was just one block shy of a triple-double, as she had 14 points and 15 rebounds - eight of those being offensive. Dalia Belickaite scored 20 points for the winners, Laura Juskaite had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Bozica Mujovic was the lone performer in double digits for Montenegro with 10 points.

Slovenia defeated Great Britain 69-50 to join Lithuania on a 2-0 record. Annamaria Prezelj and Larisa Ocvirk combined for 48 of Slovenia's 69 points. The latter also had a game-high 14 rebounds. All 12 British players entered the court, but none of them reached 10 points. Great Britain shot just 22 percent from the field, while Slovenia shot 9-of-20 from the three-point area.

Teams are also fighting for places 9-13 in Group G. Bulgaria defeated Ireland 73-51, and Ukraine claimed a 75-70 win over Israel.

FIBA