International powerhouse nations Lithuania and Belarus started their Eurobasket Women qualifiers with victories as the road to France next June begins.
Group A
The performance of the qualifiers though fell to the Ukraine, who thumped helpless Portugal 92-38 in Yuzhne led by Oleksandra Kurasova’s 18 points.
The home side scored the first 10 points of the first quarter and never looked back as Portugal found themsleves down 46-16 at half-time and though they put up more of a fight in the second half of play, the Ukraine were chnaging their line-up frequently and eased to victory.
Carla Freitas and Sofia De Silva each had eight points to lead Portugal.
The Belarusians were not so comfortable but still got the job done against Hungary, winning 51-47 in Minsk.
A solid showing of 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks from Anastasiya Verameyenka was key to Belarus’ success, as she scored the two crunch time buckets to seal the win.
Hungary, who missed all 10 of their attempted three-pointers were led by Krisztina Raksanyl’s 10 points.
Ukraine are away in Israel tonight, as they begin their campaign and also tonight, Portugal host Belarus.
Group C
Lithuania began their qualifying stint with a comfortable 88-47 success over Holland.
A sublime double-double from Gintare Petronyte took the Lithuanians home, as she powered in 14 points and 13 rebounds to silence the Dutch who were blitzed 32-8 in the second period and again, 20-4 in the final ten minutes.
Netherlands only real scoring threat was 15 points from Leonie Kooij.
The Greens unfortunately couldn’t carry on where they left off in Kaunas as they were stunned 79-68 by Slovenia earlier today.
Teja Oblak led the victors with 19 points.
It was the second victory for Slovenia as they triumphed in their first encounter away in Belgium 63-59.
The Slovak Republic, who fallen off the international stage a little are opening their round at home to Belgium.
Other scores
Group B
Estonia 58-62 Switzerland, Montenegro 85-68 Serbia.
Group D
Romania 66-59 Sweden, Spain 64-48 Bulgaria, Sweden 78-69 Spain.
Group E
Latvia 71-52 Italy, Finland 114-54 Luxembourg
