Lithuania secured a quarter-final spot at the Eurobasket Women and eliminated Slovak Republic at the same time with a 73-72 win over Serbia in the final second round game in Gyor.
The Baltic nation came back from an 18-point deficit and showed incredible determination to fight back but Lithuania remarkably nearly blew it with 15 seconds remaining when they turned the ball over, giving Serbia’s Jelena Milovanovic the chance to eliminate them from the competition, but she failed to knock down a regulation mid-range jump-shot.
Kamile Nacickaite led the way for the victors with 21 points.
Slovak Republic had given themselves a chance of qualifying until the Lithuanians spoiled their plans.
The Slovakians defeated already eliminated Croatia 84-62 in a game where they led 16-2 at the start and never looked back. Once they found their gears, Croatia were always second best.
Ultimately in the end, it didn’t matter. Both sides are now out.
Barbora Balintova turned on the style with a stellar 29 points to go with six assists for the Slovak Republic.
Holders Spain proved too good for Russia as they came out 66-57 winners to top Group F and remain unbeaten.
Both teams though had already qualified to the quarter-finals in Budapest.
Alba Torrens harvested a nice 24-point haul for the Spanish.
Through: Spain, Lithuania, Russia, Serbia. Out: Slovak Republic, Croatia.
Quarter-Finals
Turkey vs Serbia
Lithuania vs Belarus
Spain vs Montenegro
France vs Russia
