Day two of Eurobasket Women will see the groups start to take shape. Which team will continue their push, who can bounce back and who has it all to do?
Group A (Vannes)
Slovak Republic 75-68 Ukraine
The Slovak Republic have won at the second attempt by seeing off Ukraine 75-68 in in the day’s opening game in Vannes.
This latest defeat leaves Ukraine at 0-2 as they prepare for Montenegro in their final group game.
Klaudia Lukacovicová led the victors with 23 points and 9 rebounds as her side recorded 16 steals and forced their opponents into committing 24 turnovers, en route to victory.
The 2012 FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year Alina Iagupova led the Ukraine with 17 points.
Turkey 66-57 Montenegro
Turkey have booked their place in the second round following a 66-57 win over Montenegro.
Tugba Palazoglu and Esmeral Tuncluer both had 12 points as the Turks recovered from an early 15-2 deficit to score the second quarter’s last 11 points which gave them the platform to victory.
Iva Perovanovic led all scorers in vain for Montenegro with 17 points and 8 rebounds, as they drop to 1-1.
Group B (Vannes)
Italy 59-71 Spain
A dominant second quarter push helped Spain past Italy 71-59 as they secured their place in the next round.
The Spaniards outscored the Azzuri 22-10 in the second as a double-doubleof 19 points and 13 rebounds from Sancho Lyttle was enough for victory.
Giorgia Sottana led Italy with 13 points as they drop to 1-1.
Russia 57-68 Sweden
Sweden sent shockwaves by defeating reigning champions Russia 68-57 and sending the Russians on the brink of elimination.
Ashley Key led the Swedes with 14 points as a 19-7 third quarter ended up being the major game changer.
Epiphanny Prince led Russia with 16 points as they drop to 0-2.
Group C (Trelaze)
Great Britain 66-56 Latvia
Great Britain have booked their place in the second phase after defeating Latvia 66-56.
Kim Butler led the victors with 14 points and 9 rebounds with Jo Leedham as the Brits showed great character in the third when the Latvians, quarter-finalists in 2011 made a run, which threatened GB’s lead, which they had for the majority.
Latvia, led by 12 points by Leva Krastina are now 0-2 in the group conceded 22 second chance points to their opponents.
France 76-32 Serbia
France destroyed Serbia 76-32 in the final game of the day in Trelaze as the sold out crowd were treated to sublime basketball at both ends from the hosts.
Already leading 38-15 at the half, France were not content on sitting on their advantage and increased it further. They scored 28 points off 19 Serbian turnovers.
Gaelle Skrela led the balanced French scoring attack with 14 points, while Ana Dabovic scored nearly half of Serbia’s points with 15.
Group D (Trelaze)
Croatia 43-57 Belarus
Yelena Leuchanka was once again in fine form as she helped Belarus to a 57-43 win over a well-organised Croatia side in Trelaze.
Leuchanka had 13 points and 12 rebounds along with 2 steals to help her side go 2-0 in the group as the Croats suffer their first loss. Belarus turned the game on its head, trailing at the half to reduce their opponents to single figure scores for the next two quarters to grab the win.
Jelena Ivezic, Antonija Misura and Matea Vrdoljak all had 8 points for Croatia.
Czech Republic 70-51 Lithuania
The Czech Republic bounced back from yesterday’s poor showing against Belarus by beating a dismal Lithuania 70-51.
The Lithuanians committed 30 turnovers, which the Czechs took full advantage of as their chances of qualification improved. A 13-0 run in the second quarter ended up being the major turning point in the game.
Petra Kulichova had 15 points and 7 rebounds to lead the winners while Gintare Petronyte had 13 for Lithuania.
