Day 2 recap: Malta, Luxembourg open campaigns with convincing victories

NICOSIA (Cyprus) - Malta and Luxembourg both recorded comfortable victories on Wednesday as they opened their campaigns at the FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries.

Malta joined Ireland in advancing to the Semi-Finals as they led from start to finish in a dominant display to beat Andorra, 79-30. The 2016 winners came out firing with a 30-5 opening period and continued to stretch the gap throughout the contest.

Stephanie De Martino top scored with a 20-point outing having been +43 on the floor, whilst rounding out her stat-line with 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Josephine Grima and Kristy Galea also reached double figures with 14 and 10 points, respectively.

They face Ireland on Thursday to determine the winner of Group A and which side will take full momentum into the knockout stages.

Meanwhile, all three teams in Group B remain in contention after Luxembourg defeated Day 1 victors Kosovo,  94-65.  Catherine Mreches starred in the win with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting along with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

Kosovo had a very early 6-1 lead before Luxembourg scored 15 of the next 16 points to surge ahead and they were able to pull clear in the middle periods as they amassed 55 points in the second and third quarters to take control.

The margin of defeat has now left Kosovo vulnerable to elimination as they await the result between Cyprus and Luxembourg on Thursday with a three-way tie still possible.

FIBA