Belarus, Belgium, France and Serbia snap up Quarter-Final tickets

STRASBOURG / VALENCIA (France / Spain) - A quartet of teams are celebrating their respective places in Wednesday's Quarter-Finals after Belarus, Belgium, France and Serbia all got the wins they needed to advance as the curtain came down on the Group phase.

Meanwhile Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Russia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden will all now play in the Qualification For The Quarter-Finals, with Greece, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey heading home after finishing bottom of their respective groups.

France 85-59 Russia

Summary: France (3-0) produced a sensational second-half to storm past Russia (2-1) and claim top spot in Group D and a place in the last eight of the competition. Russia took second place as a result.

Game Heroes: It was another strong team show from France, with the  guards impressing. Sarah Michel had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals, Alix Duchet had 12 points and 3 assists, with Marine Johannes handing out 8 assists.

They Said: "Our inside players did a great job on their inside players in controlling the rebounds, especially in the second quarter. We were really good and efficient. When we play with this kind of defensive intensity it is very hard for the other team to play." France guard Sarah Michel.

Turkey 61-63 Belgium

Summary: It was a nerve-shredding last game of the first phase for Belgium (2-1) who were a shot away from going home early but instead survived to be crowned Group C winners and, after the dust had settled, it was their opponents Turkey (0-3) that departed the competition.

Game Heroes: The ever-reliable Emma Meesseman had 15 points and 9 rebounds.

They Said: "It was a bad start to the competition, but we are first in the group which is crazy. It also proves to us that we have to play every game better for the whole 40 minutes." Belgium playmaker Julie Allemand.

Sweden 54-78 Belarus

Summary: Belarus (2-1) reacted to their surprise loss against Slovakia to comfortably sail past Sweden (1-2) and head directly to the Quarter-Finals as the Group A winners - a spot most people had anticipated to be occupied by co-hosts Spain. Sweden took third place.

Game Heroes: The headline trio of Belarus did the business. Alexandria Bentley had 20 points and 5 assists, while Anastasiya Verameyenka harvested 12 points, 9 boards and 4 blocks, with Maryia Papova contributing a fine 17-point and 12-rebound double-double.

They Said: "We were simply a better team than Sweden today and all the statistics show this. It was due to our good preparation. The players did everything the coaches wanted and while we have first place in the Group, we just want to keep going." Belarus head coach Natalia Trafimava

Montenegro 75-87 Serbia

Summary: Serbia (3-0) maintained their unbeaten start as they wrapped up their group campaign with a hard-fought derby success against Montenegro (1-2) to move directly to the Quarter-Finals. Their opponents finished third in Group B.

Game Heroes: Tina Krajisnik was terrific and went 9 of 11 from the field for 20 points, as well as collecting 9 boards.Nevena Jovanovic weighed in with an all-action cameo of 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Meanwhile Markeisha Gatling had 22 points in defeat.

They Said: "It took us a while to wake up, but we are together and in the most important moments, we did what the coach was asking from us. Still, there is a lot to work on ahead of the Quarter-Finals and this was not easy, it was a difficult group." Serbia captain Jelena Brooks

Bosnia and Herzegovina 81-91 Slovenia

Summary: Slovenia (2-1) bounced back from their big loss to Belgium by beating Balkan rivals Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-1) in a great advert for the women's game. 

Game Heroes:  Eva Lisec top-scored with 22 points, while Nika Baric and Teja Oblak both claimed double-doubles. Baric had 12 points and 10 assists with Oblak starring with 13 points and 11 assists. Meanwhile Marica Gajic and Jonquel Jones were phenomenal for Bosnia and Herzegovina with 28 points and 11 rebounds for the former and 24 points and 10 boards for Jones.

They Said: "We showed our real character after Belgium  destroyed us in the last game. I congratulate our team that we were able to win. Maybe during the last years, our bench did not show up like they should. This time they're doing a great job." Slovenia guard Nika Baric.

Italy 77-67 Greece

Summary: Italy (2-1) had to work hard to get their second win and secure second place in Group B as Greece (0-3) headed home empty-handed but with their heads held high after a spirited performance.

Game Heroes: Elisa Penna top scored for Italy, while notably for Greece, teenager  Eleni Bosgana had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

They Said: "We started with the right intensity. Then we didn't have the same aggressiveness in the second half. But we managed to hold it together as a team to get the win durng the last six minutes," Italy forward, Elisa Penna.

Spain 93-61 Slovakia

Summary: Spain (2-1) made it safely into the Qualifications For The Quarter-Finals after a strong second half effort resigned Slovakia (1-2) to an early trip home.

Game Heroes: Cristina Ouvina excelled with 17 points, while fellow guard Silvia Dominguez had 14 points and 5 assists.

They Said: "It was a really good performance from the team. We had confidence and met our game plan. We needed to go to this next game with a good feeling and I am proud of the team." Spain guard Silvia Dominguez.

Czech Republic 56-84 Croatia

Summary: Croatia (1-2) extended their stay in the tournament after blasting their way past Czech Republic (0-3) in a loser-goes-home matchup in Group D.

Game Heroes: Ivana Dojkic was superb and racked up 24 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and and 3 steals. Ana-Marija Begic had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. 

They Said: "We gave our best and showed how we are supposed to play. We were creative on both offense and defense and so we will try to continue playing like that today." Croatia guard Ivana Dojkic.

FIBA