POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Elena Buenavida
Italy - Spain 71-72
Spain nipped Italy in the opener. Spain recorded a 33-29 halftime lead. Italy responded with a 20-14 run in the third term to take the lead. Spain however dropped 25 points in the fourth stanza to snatch the win. Elena Buenavida (174-PG-2004) came up with 20 points to pace the winners. Matilde Villa (172-SG-2004, agency: Players Group) answered with 17 points for Italy.
Finland - Lithuania 70-61
Finland knocked down Lithuania to open win count in Group C. Finland arrived at halftime up by 5 points 35-30. Lithuania managed to pull within 2 points at the final break. But Finland used a 20-13 run in the fourth quarter to snatch the victory. Elina Aarnisalo (176-G-2005) stepped up with 22 points for the winners. Ugne Sirtautaite (188-F-2004) chipped in 18 points and collected 10 rebounds for Lithuania.
Sweden - Hungary 67-77
Hungary overcame Sweden to gain the first win in Heraklion. The teams were tied at 40 after twenty minutes of action. Hungary used a 23-13 run in the third term to surge ahead for good. Janka Gyongyosi (188-G/F-2004) came up with 19 points and 8 rebounds for Hungary. Tilda Trygger (198-SF-2006) netted 17 points for the Scandinavian team.
Israel - Bosnia 87-54
Israel coasted past Bosnia behind 15 points from Shirel Nahum (2005). Israel recorded a 21-13 lead after ten minutes. They went on a strong 52-20 second half to ice the victory. Amit Terner (177-F-2004) provided 13 points in the win. Amila Smajic (190-C-2005) answered with 14 points for Bosnia.
Turkey - Poland 52-44
Turkey outlasted Poland for the first win in Group A. Turkey got off to a quick start. They established a 33-16 halftime lead. Poland cut the deficit in the second half but could not avoid the loss. Berfin Sertoglu (171-PG-2004) notched 13 points and 8 rebounds for Turkey. Agata Makurat (188-SG-2004) replied with 15 points for Poland.
Greece - Latvia 75-64
Greece overcame Latvia in the opening game at the championship. Greece recorded a 22-11 lead ten minutes into the game. They followed with an 18-15 run in the fourth stanza to race to the victory. Sofia Kelemeni (179-G/F-2004) provided 21 points, while Georgia Damoulaki (165-G-2004) added 17 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists for the Hellenes. Raina Tomasicka (180-SF-2005) answered with 23 points for Latvia.
Belgium - Czech Republic 58-63
Czech Republic held off Belgium to register first win in Heraklion. Belgium led by two points after ten minutes. But Czech Republic went on a 24-8 rally in the second term to spur ahead. Belgium held their opponents to just 23 points in the second half but could not avoid the loss. Dominika Paurova (183-F/C-2005) tallied 14 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Nastja Claessens (186-F-2004) answered with 20 points and 9 rebounds for Belgium.
Germany - France 42-59
France knocked down Germany to gain the first victory in Group D. les Bleues opened a 28-23 halftime lead. France limited Germany to just 19 points in the second half to march to the victory. Leila Lacan (174-PG-2004) banked in 15 points, while Fatoumata Toure (171-G-2004) had 13 points for the winners. Frieda Buehner (184-F-2004) replied with 13 points and 14 rebounds for Germany.
Tags : ELENA BUENAVIDA, SPANISH BASKETBALL
