Division B. Day 5 in Romania

Almar Atlason

Iceland - Ukraine 88-52
Iceland cruised past Ukraine to improve at 3-1 record. Iceland dominated from start to finish outscoring their opponents in each quarter. Almar Atlason (202-F-2004) and Tomas Thrastarson (197-G-2005) accounted for 20 points each for the winning side. Nazarii Kulishenko (207-C-2005) and Vladyslav Semerych (205-F-2004) had 11 points each for Ukraine.

Holland - Georgia 59-52 OT
Netherlands outscored Georgia in overtime to improve at 3-2 record. Netherlands posted a 12-8 lead after ten minutes. Georgia erased the deficit and surged ahead in the next two periods. But Netherlands went on a 15-13 run in the fourth frame to force overtime. They followed with a 10-3 run in the extra period and sealed the win. Sydnee Bijlsma (195-G-2004) came up with 17 points for Netherlands. Giorgi Ochkhikidze (190-PG-2004) produced 16 points in the loss.

Cyprus - Austria 74-78
Austria overcame Cyprus to open win count in Romania. Cyprus enjoyed a 47-41 halftime lead. But Austria went on a 16-6 run in the third term to surge ahead. They protected the lead throughout the fourth quarter and raced to the victory. Omer Suljanovic (201-F-2005) notched 30 points and 8 rebounds for Austria. Charalambos Savva (204-F/C-2004) produced 21 points for Cyprus.

Kosovo - Bosnia 58-90
Bosnia cruised past Kosovo to improve at 4-1 record. Bosnia recorded a 47-25 halftime lead and never looked back coasting to the victory. Zinedin Mulic (199-SG-2004) came up with 18 points, while Ivan Galic (198-F-2004) added 17 points for the winners. Bardh Istrefi (204-PF-2004) responded with 33 points and 11 rebounds for Kosovo.

Hungary - Switzerland 67-46
Hungary toppled Switzerland to gain 2-3 record in Group C. Hungary accumulated a comfortable 36-24 halftime lead. They kept the Swiss at bay throughout the second half and rallied to the victory. Peter Csataljay (192-G/F-2004) provided 13 points for Hungary. Tristan Frossard (198-F-2004) notched 10 points for Switzerland.

Sweden - Finland 78-67
Sweden topped Finland to gain 3-1 record in Group D. Finland led by 9 points at the big break 40-31. But Sweden responded with a strong 26-8 run in the fourth term to snatch the win. Tunde Vahlberg (201-SF-2004) notched 24 points, while William Kermoury (192-G-2004) added 13 points and 14 rebounds for Sweden. Miro Little (196-G-2004) netted 15 points and collected 14 rebounds for Finland.

Ireland - Denmark 59-86
Denmark breezed past Ireland to gain the fourth consecutive victory in the championship. Denmark accumulated a 45-26 halftime lead. They poured in 41 points in the second half to march to the win. Nathan Ahner (198-G-2004) provided 16 points, while Sharif Barfi (197-PG-2004) added 13 points for Denmark. Aivaras Uosis (200-F-2005) answered with 15 points for Ireland.

Latvia - Slovakia 74-58
Juris Vitols (187-G-2005) scored 18 points to pace Latvia past Slovakia as they claimed the second straight win. Slovakia eked out a 33-32 halftime lead. But Latvia replied with a 42-25 second half rally to seal the win. Rihards Berkolds (183-G-2004) netted 13 points in the victory. Timotej Malovec (200-F-2004, agency: BeoBasket) replied with 22 points for Slovakia.

Romania - Portugal 53-49
Romania overcame Portugal to gain 4-1 record in Group C. Portugal enjoyed a 33-26 halftime lead. But the hosts turned things around in the second half. They held Portugal to only 16 points and snatched a narrow victory. Tudor Somacescu (188-PG-2005) tossed in 10 points for Romania. Filipe Dionisio (200-F-2004) hauled in 14 points for Portugal.

Bulgaria - Norway 74-56
Bulgaria toppled Norway to finish at 3-2 record in Group B. Bulgaria accumulated a 36-27 halftime lead. They went on a 38-29 run in the second half to march to the victory. Hristo Bachkov (179-PG-2004) delivered 17 points, while Martin Kovachev (205-F-2004) added 14 points and 8 boards for Bulgaria. Eldar Alagic (2004) netted 18 points for Norway.