Villa quality gets Italy rolling; first wins for Lithuania, Latvia and Germany

HERAKLION (Greece) - A classy showing from Matilde Villa was the highlight on the second day of action at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship as the guard showed her poetential to fire Italy to victory.

Stung by their last gasp loss on the opening day to Spain, a determined Italy picked up their first sucess as they moved past Poland 76-66 in Group A. Villa pulled the strings as she knocked down 23 points, handed out 5 assists and grabbed 5 steals.

Luize Sila hit a tournament high 27 points against Belgium on Day 2

Latvia are celebrating getting their first victory on the board as they slid past Belgium 66-55 in Group B. Luize Sila scored 27 points, the highest of the competition so far, with teammate Enija Viksne impressing with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Lithuania also racked up their first positive result by beating Sweden comprehensively in Group C. Rusne Augustinaite paced a one-sided 69-35 triumph with 18 points.

Germany rolled to their first win in style by coasting past Bosnia and Herzegovina 76-36 in Group D as every baller on the roster got onto the scoresheet, led by 10 points and 11 rebounds from Frieda Buhner. 

Elsewhere, Spain claimed a 56-40 Group A success against Turkey to stay perfect, with Carlo Brito sealing a 10-point and 11-rebounds double-double. 

It's been a positive opening in Heraklion for host nation Greece with two wins in two days

Greece has two Group B wins after they sneaked past Czech Republic 71-67. Katerina Baxevanou fired 16 points for the hosts, with the loss tough on Czech baller Valentyna Kadlecova who netted 23 points.

Hungary are yet to taste defeat in Group C after beating Finland 79-70, with Edina Strausz excellent and harvesting 12 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks. The same can be said of a dominant France who swept past Israel 69-40 in Group D, thanks mainly to 14 points and 14 rebounds from Amina Traore, plus 15 points and 11 boards from Fatoumata Toure.

FIBA