Division B. Overview of Day 5 in Matosinhos

Nedas Cholevinskas

Norway - United Kingdom 73-84
Great Britain overcame Norway to finish the group stage undefeated. Great Britain used a 33-17 rally in the second period to secure a 51-40 halftime lead. They held Norway to just 11 points in the fourth frame to race to the win. Nedas Cholevinskas (196-F-2005) netted 23 points and collected 9 rebounds for Great Britain. Oscar Hellebust (206-C-2006) and Etienne Aspevik (197-F-2005) replied with 18 points each for Norway.

Iceland - North Macedonia 92-59
Iceland claimed the second win in Group A as they fired past North Macedonia. Iceland went on a 56-27 second half run to ice the victory. Hilmir Arnarson (195-F/G-2005) tallied 19 points for Iceland. Marko Lukanoski (210-C-2006) answered with 13 points for North Macedonia.

Georgia - Bosnia 74-93
Bosnia coasted past Georgia for the third win in Matosinhos. Georgia led by one point ten minutes into the game. But Bosnia ignited a 28-15 run in the fourth stanza to seal the victory. Nikola Saric was responsible for 29 points in the win. Alexandre Daushvili (206-F-2006) topscored with 15 points for Georgia.

Holland - Ireland 122-74
Netherlands eased past Ireland to improve at 5-0 record at the championship. Netherlands recorded a 60-35 halftime advantage and never looked back en route to the win. Tjall De Vaal (198-F-2005) tallied 22 points, while Timothy George (201-PF-2005) topscored with 23 points for the winning side. Jakub Malecki (201-F-2006) replied with 12 points for Ireland.

Montenegro - Slovakia 78-82
Slovakia finished atop of Group B as they outlasted Montenegro. Slovakia secured a 43-37 halftime advantage. They protected the lead throughout the second half and rolled to the win. Robert Hudec (191-SG-2005) provided 23 points for Slovakia. Vasilije Todorovic (194-SG-2005) answered with 17 points for Montenegro.

Romania - Estonia 71-70
Romania held off Estonia to improve at 4-1 record in Group C. Estonia eked out a 35-34 halftime advantage. Romania held their opponents to just 15 points in the third term to snatch a 3-point lead. Estonia pulled within striking distance in the fourth frame but stopped short of victory. Lorenzo Diaconescu (202-F-2005) stepped up with 17 points and 8 rebounds for Romania. Stefan Vaaks (191-SG-2005) hauled in 19 points for Estonia.

Switzerland - Latvia 70-77
Latvia toppled Switzerland to stay perfect in Portugal. Latvia established a 44-35 halftime lead. The Baltic team stretched the margin at 12-point mark heading into the fourth term and raced to the win. Rudolfs Svitins (199-SF-2005) produced 15 points for Latvia. Liban Aadan (192-G-2006) answered with 25 points for Switzerland.

Albania - Hungary 48-56
Hungary claimed the third win at the tournament as they defeated Albania in Group B. Albania led by a single point after ten minutes. But Hungary used a 23-5 run in the second frame to secure a comfortable lead. Albania held their opponents to just 22 points in the second half but could not avoid the loss. Bulcsu Major (194-F-2005) posted 10 points for Hungary. Arden Begaj (213-C/F-2005) answered with 17 points and 8 rebounds for Albania.

Kosovo - Ukraine 68-78
Ukraine fired past Kosovo to finish the group stage at 2-3 record. Ukraine eked out a 44-35 halftime advantage. They extended the lead to as many as 14 points at the final break and never looked back en route to the win. Illia Upyr (187-G-2006) came up with 22 points for the winners. Arlind Konjuhi (177-G-2005) answered with game-high 24 points for Kosovo.

Belgium - Portugal 79-71 OT
Belgium outlasted Portugal in overtime to earn the second place in Group D. Portugal led by as many as 12 points heading into the fourth stanza. But Belgium ignited a 25-13 run to force overtime. They followed with a 12-4 push in the extra period to seal the win. Noah Meeusen (189-G-2005) accounted for 29 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists for Belgium. Ruben Prey (209-F-2005) answered with 25 points and 14 rebounds for Portugal.