Day 5 recap: Three tickets punched for FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup

MUNICH (Germany) - The fifth day of the FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers proved to be a momentous one as France, Slovenia and Russia all snapped up tickets for the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup next year.

Headlines:
- France book FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup place after soaring past Germany in the Helsinki Challenger
- Slovenia and Russia secure the two places to U17 Women's World Cup from Group C after getting the wins they needed at the Matosinhos Challenger

Day 5 Standout Performers:
Helsinki: Dominique Malonga (FRA) - 23 EFF / 19 PTS / 10 REB
Tbilisi: Melida Hykaj (ALB) - 29 EFF / 22 PTS / 12 REB / 4 STL
San Fernando: Iyana Martin Carrion (ESP) - 16 PTS / 75% FG / 5 REB / 5 STL / 3 AST
Matosinhos: Pauline Bayart (BEL) - 28 EFF / 15 PTS / 17 REB / 4 BLK
Piestany: Faith Ehi Etute (LUX) - 24 EFF / 15 PTS / 20 REB

Helsinki Challenger:

Group A

12/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	France	4	4	0	100	332	211	121	83	52.8	8
2	Bulgaria	4	2	2	50.0	223	255	-32	55.8	63.8	6
3	Finland	4	2	2	50.0	271	285	-14	67.8	71.2	6
4	Latvia	4	2	2	50.0	238	246	-8	59.5	61.5	6
5	Germany	4	1	3	25.0	232	243	-11	58	60.8	5
6	Greece	4	1	3	25.0	197	253	-56	49.2	63.2	5

Day 5 results: Another exceptional contribution from Dominique Malonga of 19 points and 10 boards was behind a comfortable 77-51 success for France as they swept aside Germany to seal their place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. Finland had been hoping to join France but endured an agonizing 64-61 defeat to Bulgaria despite 27 points from Elina Aarnisalo. It was Denitsa Manolova who did the damage for Bulgaria with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Yana Kiramfiolva added 16 points. There was also a precious win for Latvia in the Group, who beat Greece 55-51 to boost their hopes.

San Fernando Challenger:

Group B

12/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Spain	4	4	0	100	333	157	176	83.2	39.2	8
2	Serbia	4	3	1	75.0	225	208	17	56.2	52	7
3	Hungary	4	3	1	75.0	306	218	88	76.5	54.5	7
4	Croatia	4	2	2	50.0	243	275	-32	60.8	68.8	6
5	Ukraine	4	0	4	0	216	325	-109	54	81.2	4
6	Lithuania	4	0	4	0	195	335	-140	48.8	83.8	4

 Day 5 results: FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup hosts Hungary showed their teeth in a big way as they tore apart Croatia 79-50 with Petra Toman scoring 17 points and Patricia Timea Kokai chipping in with 16. The victory made Spain wait for their potential ticket to next year's flagship event despite a 108-30 win against Lithuania.  Iyana Martin Carrion produced 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals, with Awa Fam Thiam logging 19 points and 9 rebounds. Serbia relied on a super 35 points from in-form Marija Avlijas to get the job done 59-51 against Ukraine, who couldn't prevent defeat despite a huge 21 points and 19 rebounds from Kateryna Koval.

Matosinhos  Challenger: 

Group C

12/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Slovenia	4	4	0	100	284	227	57	71	56.8	8
2	Russia	4	3	1	75.0	246	214	32	61.5	53.5	7
3	Belgium	4	2	2	50.0	241	233	8	60.2	58.2	6
4	Portugal	4	1	3	25.0	218	249	-31	54.5	62.2	5
5	Poland	4	1	3	25.0	236	248	-12	59	62	5
6	Czech Republic	4	1	3	25.0	235	289	-54	58.8	72.2	5

 Day 5 results: Slovenia will play at the FIBA U17 Women's  Basketball World Cup next year after they stayed unbeaten to move to 4-0 with a 72-53 win against Portugal, founded on an impressive Zoja Stirn double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds. Russia were also able to secure their spot at the event after going on a 13-4 late run to surge to a 65-58 win against Poland with 19 points and 6 rebounds from Olesia Galenko pacing the victory.  Additionally, a power-packed performance from Pauline Bayart helped Belgium take a 76-53 win against Czech Republic as she scored 15 points, pulled down 17 boards and swatted four shots. 

Piestany Challenger:

Group D

9/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Israel	3	3	0	100	236	116	120	78.7	38.7	6
2	Slovakia	3	3	0	100	206	148	58	68.7	49.3	6
3	Switzerland	3	2	1	66.7	174	158	16	58	52.7	5
4	Romania	3	1	2	33.3	174	158	16	58	52.7	4
5	Luxembourg	3	0	3	0	134	189	-55	44.7	63	3
6	Ireland	3	0	3	0	115	270	-155	38.3	90	3

Day 5 results: There's no stopping Israel in Piestany as they proved too hot to handle for Luxembourg with a 66-40 success. Yali Levy and Romi Elbaz netted 17 and 16 points respectively, while Faith Ehe Etute enhanced her reputation with another incredible double-double of 15 points and 20 rebounds. Slovakia are also yet to lose but had to survive a scare against Romania as they completed a 55-54 victory built around a smart showing from Magdalena Valova who had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists and 2 steals. Ireland were no match for Switzerland as the latter stormed their way to a 74-36 victory with Sharline Hulliger and Jade Marie Krummenacher sharing 28 points.

Tbilisi Challenger:

Group E

8/10 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Albania	4	3	1	75.0	224	197	27	56	49.2	7
2	North Macedonia	3	3	0	100	255	121	134	85	40.3	6
3	Malta	3	1	2	33.3	175	172	3	58.3	57.3	4
4	Armenia	3	1	2	33.3	119	211	-92	39.7	70.3	4
5	Georgia	3	0	3	0	123	195	-72	41	65	3

Day 5 results: Albania celebrated an exciting and nail-biting 53-51 win against Malta after a sublime display from Melida Hykaj who racked up 22 points, 12 rebounds and 4 steals. North Macedonia completely demolished Armenia 92-22 as Mihaela Aleksovska amassed 25 points.

FIBA