Division B. Overview of Day 3 in Matosinhos

Omer Suljanovic

Norway - Iceland 74-79
Iceland recorded the first win in Group A as they topped Norway. Iceland used a 26-18 run in the third term to gain a decisive advantage. Birkir Eythorsson (201-F-2006) and Thordur Jonsson (182-G-2005) provided 16 points each for the winners. Sivert Nordheim (195-F/G-2006) answered with 25 points for Norway.

Austria - North Macedonia 77-74
Austria held off North Macedonia for the third consecutive win in Group A. North Macedonia posted a 31-19 lead after ten minutes. But Austria managed to erase the deficit and eventually surged ahead for good in this one. Omer Suljanovic (201-F-2005) netted 23 points, while Aleksej Kostic (192-G-2005, agency: 011 Sports) added 15 points for Austria. North Macedonia answered with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists from Andrej Shoshkikj (187-G-2005).

Montenegro - Bosnia 83-80
Montenegro toppled Bosnia to improve at 3-0 record atop of Group B. Bosnia entered the fourth quarter up by 6 points but Montenegro used a 26-17 run in the final period to snatch the win. Vladimir Sudar (194-G-2005) notched 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists for the Montenegrin team. Nikola Saric (185-G-2005) answered with 18 points for Bosnia.

Switzerland - Belgium 68-61
Switzerland held off Belgium to post the first win in Portugal. They used a 30-6 run in the first period to gain a comfortable lead and protected it throughout the reminder of the contest. Andrin Njock (195-F-2006) came up with 22 points and 9 rebounds for Switzerland. Lukijan Zecevic (195-F/G-2005) had 13 points for Belgium.

Hungary - Slovakia 60-64
Slovakia outscored Hungary to improve at 2-1 record in Group B. Slovakia registered a 31-25 halftime advantage. Hungary narrowed the gap in the second half but could not avoid the defeat. Robert Hudec (191-SG-2005) provided 20 points for Slovakia. Daniel Antalics (203-F-2005) tossed in 13 points for Hungary.

Holland - Estonia 82-71
Netherlands beat Estonia to stay perfect in Matosinhos. The Dutch team trailed by two points after ten minutes but they went on a 20-11 run in the second term to take a 7-point halftime lead. Netherlands dropped 46 points in the second half to race to the win. Tjall De Vaal (198-F-2005) and Timothy George (201-PF-2005) posted 15 points apiece for Netherlands. Erik Makke (186-G-2005) recorded 19 points for Estonia.

Ukraine - Ireland 87-78
Ukraine opened win count in Portugal as they overcame Ireland. Ukraine sank 31 points in the first term to take an 8-point lead. They maintained the advantage throughout the reminder of the contest and raced to the win. Desmond Yiamu (199-F/C-2006) provided 24 points and 9 rebounds for Ukraine. Leo Byrne (2005) replied with game-high 29 points for Ireland.

Albania - Georgia 50-107
Georgia opened win count in Division B tournament. They fired past Albania for 1-2 record in Group B. Georgia piled up a 61-27 halftime lead and never looked back en route to the victory. Amirani Arishidze notched 20 points, while Gega Tsulaia (195-G/F-2005) posted 16 points for Georgia. Arden Begaj (208-PF-2005) answered with 20 points for Albania.

Kosovo - Romania 64-98
Romania eased past Kosovo to post the third consecutive win in Group C. Romania dominated from start to finish in this one. They established a 50-28 halftime lead and coasted to the victory in the second half. Andrei Oinaru (203-F/C-2005) notched 20 points and 10 rebounds for the winners. Norik Binqe (196-SG-2005) answered with 19 points for Kosovo.

Bulgaria - Portugal 85-59
Bulgaria registered the second win in Matosinhos. They upset hosting Portugal for 2-1 record in Group D. Aleksandar Gavalyugov came up with 30 points for the winning side. Bulgaria used a 46-27 second half rally to seal the victory. Stefan Mihaylov had 15 points for Bulgaria. Ruben Prey replied with 21 points and 16 rebounds for Portugal.

Albania - Bosnia 51-92
Bosnia outgunned Albania to improve at 2-1 record in Group B. Bosnia grabbed a 47-22 halftime advantage. They sank 45 points in the second half to ease to the win. Vasilije Kuridza tossed in 15 points, while Luka Damjanac added 13 points for Bosnia. Ajet Cahani answered with 15 points for Albania.