After the excitement and enthusiasm heading into hosting Eurobasket Women, the Czech Republic’s campaign only lasted a mere 24 hours.
The tournament hosts were eliminated after they dropped their second game in succession with Hungary picking up a 74-70 win in Group A, while Spain powered to 2-0 with a routine 76-54 victory over Ukraine. Veteran Alba Torrens hit 26 points for the tournament favourites.
In one of the most dominant individual displays at a Eurobasket Women ever, Quanitra Hollingsworth posted a mammoth double-double of 29 points and 21 rebounds along with two blocks to assist Turkey to a narrow 54-53 win over Italy in Group B.
The Slovak Republic picked up their first win of the tournament as they downed Belarus 68-59 in the other Group B encounter.
It was a momentous day for Slovenia as they picked up their first ever major tournament win at the expense of Greece. Eva Lisec led the Slovenians with 15 points as they scored a narrow 59-56 win over the Greeks who drop their first game of the tournament in Group C.
In a rematch of the Eurobasket Women final from 2015, France went to 2-0 in Group C and are all but confirmed for qualification as they handed Serbia their second straight loss with a 73-57 win to leave the champions in serious danger of being dumped out in the group stages.
Belgium have boosted their record to 2-0 with a nervy 76-75 win over Russia in Group D. And Latvia scored their first win of the campaign with a comfortable 76-55 victory over a woeful Montenegro.
— HIGHLIGHTS —
Czech Republic vs Hungary
Spain vs Ukraine
Turkey vs Italy
France vs Serbia
Greece vs Slovenia
Montenegro vs Latvia
Russia vs Belgium