Day 3 recap: Belgium hand Greece first loss in Heraklion, Slovenia go three from three

MUNICH (Germany) - Three games were decided by three points or less on an eventful Day 3's action at the FIBA U20 European Challengers that also saw Slovenia become the first team to three wins.

Headlines:

- Croatia, Spain lead the way with second wins in Brno
- France only unbeaten side in Tbilisi as Georgia beat Turkey
- Belgium stun Greece in Heraklion, Slovenia move to 3-0
- Dramatic triumphs for North Macedonia, Luxembourg in Sopron

Day 3 Standout Performers:

Tbilisi: Emil Stoilov (BUL) - 21 PTS / 15 REB / 2 BLK
Heraklion: Haris Bratanovic (BEL) - 17 PTS / 10 REB / 3 AST
Heraklion: Ajay Mitchell (BEL) - 15 PTS / 9 AST / 5 REB
Brno: Tomislav Buljan (CRO) - 19 PTS / 11 REB / 61% FG
Sopron: Adam Krasovec (HUN) - 16 PTS / 4 STL / 100% FG
Sopron: Davy Rocha (LUX) - 16 PTS / 10 REB / 3 STL

Brno Challenger:

Group A

6/15 games played

		GAMES				STREAK	GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	Last 5	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Spain	2	2	0	100		141	90	51	70.5	45	4
2	Croatia	2	2	0	100		160	123	37	80	61.5	4
3	Italy	2	1	1	50.0		123	134	-11	61.5	67	3
4	Czech Republic	2	1	1	50.0		154	113	41	77	56.5	3
5	Portugal	2	0	2	0		120	157	-37	60	78.5	2
6	Albania	2	0	2	0		83	164	-81	41.5	82	2

Gameday 2 results: Croatia impressed in their 71-57 win over Italy, and were joined on a 2-0 start by Spain after they saw off Portugal, 68-54, to close out the day having made their move in the third quarter. Earlier, Czech Republic had broke their duck in emphatic fashion with a 91-47 victory against Albania on home soil.

Tbilisi Challenger:

Group B

6/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	France	2	2	0	100	149	125	24	74.5	62.5	4
2	Turkey	2	1	1	50.0	147	148	-1	73.5	74	3
3	Georgia	2	1	1	50.0	140	153	-13	70	76.5	3
4	Bulgaria	2	1	1	50.0	157	157	0	78.5	78.5	3
5	Germany	2	1	1	50.0	149	131	18	74.5	65.5	3
6	Poland	2	0	2	0	145	173	-28	72.5	86.5	2

Gameday 2 results: France are the only side to remain unbeaten after two days after they edged out Germany for a 65-62 success before Georgia secured a 77-69 victory over Turkey as Lasha Mikeladze netted 22 points. There was also a first win for Bulgaria with Emil Stoilov posting 21 points and 15 rebounds to get his side past Poland, 86-79.

Heraklion Challenger:

Group C

9/15 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Slovenia	3	3	0	100	224	179	45	74.7	59.7	6
2	Greece	3	2	1	66.7	236	197	39	78.7	65.7	5
3	Israel	3	2	1	66.7	212	190	22	70.7	63.3	5
4	Russia	3	1	2	33.3	221	209	12	73.7	69.7	4
5	Belgium	3	1	2	33.3	186	213	-27	62	71	4
6	Ukraine	3	0	3	0	157	248	-91	52.3	82.7	3

Gameday 3 results: Slovenia moved to 3-0 at the top of the group as they held their nerve in the fourth to overcome Israel for an important 69-59 victory in the unbeaten clash. Belgium had earlier upset Greece with a 78-64 triumph as Haris Bratanovic posted a double-double, while Russia got off the mark by beating Ukraine, 79-47, for their first win.

Sopron Challenger:

Group D

4/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	North Macedonia	2	2	0	100	152	135	17	76	67.5	4
2	Luxembourg	2	1	1	50.0	126	140	-14	63	70	3
3	Switzerland	2	1	1	50.0	159	127	32	79.5	63.5	3
4	Romania	2	0	2	0	136	171	-35	68	85.5	2

Group E

4/6 games played

		GAMES				GAME POINTS					POINTS
#	Team	P	W	L	%	For	Agt	+/-	FA	AA
1	Hungary	2	2	0	100	171	120	51	85.5	60	4
2	Belarus	2	2	0	100	172	124	48	86	62	4
3	Slovakia	2	0	2	0	138	150	-12	69	75	2
4	Kosovo	2	0	2	0	106	193	-87	53	96.5	2

Gameday 2 results: North Macedonia needed a late three from Luka Savikjevikj to seal their second win as they outlasted Romania 79-78 in overtime, while Luxembourg rallied to defeat Switzerland, 69-67. Belarus and Hungary both improved to 2-0 in Group E as they beat Slovakia (71-64) and Kosovo (92-46), respectively, to secure their spots in the Semi-Finals.

FIBA