The semi-finals of Eurobasket Women 2013 are now set as Turkey eased through while France edged Sweden in by far the game of the tournament.
Turkey impress against Belarus
In a low scoring affair, Turkey defeated Belarus 55-41 as they edge closer to back-to-back Eurobasket finals.
Saziye Ivegin led the winners with 13 points but the strength in depth was once again for all to see as the Turks had players confident to put up numbers in different departments, and at both ends.
Now I am so happy that because of our defence, which helped to win the game, we will now get to play another semi-final game,” Ivegin said afterwards.
“We have ambitions for the tournament and we are now getting closer to them.”
Katsiaryna Snytsina led the Belarussians with 12 points.
France beat Sweden in Eurobasket classic
Hosts France are through to the semi-finals after they got by a brave Sweden side 87-83 in the day’s last game.
This was expected to be an easy game for the French, but Sweden, who surprised many by just getting out of the group stages took the game to the hosts and it took the best efforts of Celine Dumerc as she drained three clutch triples with two minutes remaining to seal the win and pile heartbreak on the unlucky Swedes.
Dumerc had 16 points for France, but the two Eldebrink girls shone for Sweden with Frida leading all scorers with 21 and Elin racking up numbers of 17 points and 7 assists.
“Today both teams showed that we must respect women’s basketball, it was a big promotion of our sport,” France coach Pierre Vincent said. “They played really good basketball, because they are a very good team, talented and young.
“Now we have to continue, and against Turkey it will be also very close game. They are stronger inside than two years ago, but both teams are on the same ‘wave’, we started having success at the same time and we know each other very well.”
