France beat Belarus to make a fifth Final in a row

VALENCIA (Spain) - Tournament favorites France are one win away from the top step of the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Women podium after they took down Belarus 73-61 to make their fifth straight Final.

Last crowned champions back in 2009, France have yet another opportunity to turn silver into gold and go one better than at the four previous editions. 

Turning point:  When Belarus threatened to tear up the script late in the last quarter with a comeback bid, a huge triple from Marine Johannes settled the nerves with just over three minutes to go. She extended the lead to 10 points and France were able to see the game out comfortably. 

Game heroes: Endene Miyem was superb and posted her highest ever score in the competition, one which she has stepped out in more than 50 times.  She finished with 24 points and 7 rebounds, Alexandria Bentley dropped 23 points in defeat, with her Belarus teammate Anastasiya Verameyenka adding 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Stats don't lie:  France shot 57 percent from three-point range and netted 8 triples in the game which helped them keep Belarus at arms' length.

Bottom line:  Belarus had never given up more than 58 points heading into this game during the tournament, but had already leaked 38 by half-time. They were better after the break and caused France some problems, but just didn't have the offensive firepower to keep pace. France did what we have seen for much of the competition, using their super long rotation to wear down their opponents and get even stronger as the game goes on. When they needed it, so many different players stepped up to make a big shot. 

They said: "We knew this Belarus team was a good and we knew it would be hard. We found solutions to win the game and I am happy to have my scoring record. But my main goal is to take the gold medal in the Final and this is what I want. I also know that we can do much better still. We had a decent game offensively, but there is more to come." France forward Endy Miyem

FIBA