Hosts back on track; Malta and Norway move on to Semis

SERRAVALLE (FIBA European Championship for Small Countries) - Day 2 was shifting day in San Marino as Norway and Malta locked up Semi-Final berths, whilst host San Marino got off the mark.

After being humbled by Norway 24 hours earlier, San Marino better resembled the bronze medal-winning team of 2016, as Matteo Botteghi's 16-point, 13-rebound double-double steered the homeside to a convincing 98-54 victory over Moldova, who drop to 0-2.

Playing without Vladislav Solopa, who collected 44 points in Moldova's overtime loss to Gibraltar, Moldova failed to gel without their star, shooting just 24.6 percent for the field. Moldova cannot catch the rest of the group, but can enjoy their last game against  group leaders Norway.

Norway sit in the enviable position of already being in the Semi-Finals with a game in hand. This was achieved via a 95-60 win over Gibraltar, who could well have been suffering from the additional exertion required against Moldova in overtime.

Norway once more displayed impressive depth, getting 44 points from their second unit. Bouna Ndiaye led all scoring with 19 points in 20 minutes of action. 

Joining them in the last four as top seeds from Group B will be Malta, who were made to fight a little harder for their berth. They eventually held off a gritty Irish effort, 76-65. The encounter saw 14 lead changes, but the decisive push from the Maltese late in third, and into the fourth quarter, with a 12-3 run to seal the game.

The Falzon boys, Aaron and Tevin, combined for 33 points, whilst teen sensation Kurt Cassar chipped in with 16 and 9 boards.

On Thursday, Ireland and Andorra do battle for the last remaining Semi-Final spot from Group B; Norway aim to stay perfect in Group A; whilst San Marino and Gibraltar clash in what will be a direct battle for the last remaining Semi-Final ticket.

FIBA