Division B. Day 3 in Romania

Tunde Vahlberg

Ireland - Iceland 80-103
Iceland outscored Ireland to improve at 2-1 record in Group A. Iceland went on a strong 31-13 run in the second period to take a 21-point halftime lead. Iceland limited their opponents to just 11 points in the fourth frame to ease to the victory. Daniel Halldorsson (183-G-2004) posted 20 points, while Almar Atlason (202-F-2004) tallied game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds for Iceland. Anthony Ezeonu (198-G-2005) answered with 14 points and 9 rebounds for Ireland.

Kosovo - Holland 44-78
Netherlands cruised past Kosovo for the first win in Romania. The Dutch youngsters dominated from start to finish. They piled up a 36-17 halftime lead. Netherlands sank 42 points in the second half to coast to the win. Flint Waleson (200-F-2004) tallied 17 points, while Matthijs Verhallen (196-PG-2004) had 12 points for the winners. Olsi Kurtaj (195-G-2004) netted 21 points for Kosovo.

Cyprus - Sweden 60-93
Sweden marched past Cyprus for 2-1 record in Group D. The Scandinavian team led by just one point ten minutes into the game. But they unleashed 76 points in the next three quarters and eased to the win. Tunde Vahlberg (201-SF-2004) came up with 21 points, while William Kermoury (192-G-2004) added 19 points and 12 rebounds for Sweden. Stelios Sofokleous answered with 12 points for Cyprus.

Estonia - Ukraine 53-70
Ukraine topped Estonia to open win count in Group A. Volodymyr Pietukhov (187-G-2004) notched 21 points to lead the charge. Estonia secured an 18-16 lead after ten minutes. But Ukraine responded with a 43-26 run in the next two periods to spur ahead. Ukraine held their opponents to just 9 points in the fourth term to seal the victory. Vladyslav Semerych (205-F-2004) had 12 points for Ukraine. Rando Roos (183-PG-2004) delivered 13 points for Estonia.

Bulgaria - Georgia 64-60
Bulgaria held off Georgia to gain 2-1 record in Romania. Bulgaria stayed in charge throughout the first half. They established a 40-28 halftime advantage. Georgia held their opponents to just 24 points in the second half but could not avoid the loss. Iliyan Pishtikov (192-F-2004) hauled in 18 points for Bulgaria. Giorgi Ochkhikidze (190-PG-2004) tossed in 21 points for Georgia.

Belgium - Finland 47-79
Finland upset Belgium to secure the second straight win in Group D. Finland used a 24-10 run in the first period to jump ahead. They went on a 42-18 second half rally to ensure a comfortable win. Miro Little (196-G-2004) produced 21 points and 11 assists for Finland. Matthew Hodge (200-F-2004) answered with 9 points for Belgium.

Hungary - Slovakia 68-64
Hungary topped Slovakia to open win count in Ploiesti. Slovakia arrived at halftime up by two points 37-35. But Hungary answered with an 18-11 run in the third term to spur ahead. They protected the lead throughout the fourth quarter and raced to the win. Kornel Csuti (205-F-2004) delivered 18 points and 10 caroms for Hungary. Timotej Malovec (200-F-2004, agency: BeoBasket) posted 19 points for Slovakia.

Portugal - Switzerland 73-37
Portugal thumped Switzerland to remain undefeated in Group C. Switzerland led by one point ten minutes into the game. But Portugal answered with a 16-3 run in the second stanza to take a 29-17 halftime advantage. Portugal held the Swiss team to just 20 points in the second half and rallied to the win. Diogo Seixas (199-SG-2004) netted 19 points for Portugal. Enzo Boudouma (196-F-2005) had 12 points for Switzerland.

Romania - Latvia 77-62
Romania defeated Latvia for 2-1 record at home. Latvia enjoyed a 20-17 lead after ten minutes. But Romania quickly denied the deficit and went on a strong 37-26 second half run to ice the win. David Lapuste (186-PG-2004) produced 21 points for Romania. Peteris Pinnis (213-C-2004) chipped in 12 points for Latvia.

Bosnia - Norway 77-64
Bosnia toppled Norway for the third consecutive win in Romania. Bosnia led by comfortably by 20 points at the big break. They protected the lead well throughout the second half and cruised to the victory at the end. Harun Zrno (198-SG-2004) notched 17 points, while Zinedin Mulic (199-SG-2004) added 13 points and 10 rebounds for Bosnia. Oliver Bergstad (2004) answered with 17 points for Norway.