The top performers who lit up the Group Stage in Sopron

SOPRON (Hungary) - The group stage at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship is done and dusted and after three intense days of action there's been some outstanding contributions from multiple ballers.

Narrowing it down to the top eight performers, here's who's been hot since landing in Sopron.

Julia Boros - Hungary 

 

GUARD

Average Stats: 14.0 PPG / 4.7 APG  / 2.7 RPG / 10.7 EFF

Hungary had a bumpy start to the competition with their loss to Czech Republic, but have reacted positively with two wins and that had been largely down to the play of Boros. While she could have maybe shot better at times, her outstanding composure and ability to look after the ball has been hugely important in helping the hosts take down the likes of France. She is showing why she was an All-Star Five team member of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup last year.

Marta Leimane - Latvia 

 

SMALL FORWARD

Average Stats: 15.7  PPG / 53% FG / 2.0 APG

What a roller-coaster it has been for Latvia in this initial phase. A dramatic one-point win against Serbia, a huge defeat to Portugal and massive win against Ireland. Yet despite this general inconsistency from a team perspective, the one constant has been Leimane. Her shot selection, conversion rate and composure has been very important. However, she will need to up her game even more in other areas to take Latvia towards the Quarter-Finals and to get into the podium shake-up.

Ilaria Panzera - Italy 

 

GUARD

Average Stats: 10.0 PPG / 7.3 SPG / 5.3 APG / 4.0 RPG

It has been a phenomenal showing at both ends of the floor by Panzera, her defensive showings particularly eye-catching after grabbing an amazing 7.0 steals per game.  Balanced with 5.3 assists per game which has shown her creative ability, as well as a double-digit scoring return and she could be on course for an All-Star Five place if unbeaten Italy continue this current momentum.

Ana Barreto - Portugal 

 

SMALL FORWARD

Average Stats: 15.0 PPG / 5.7 RPG /  1.0 APG

Portugal have had a positive campaign after wins against Ireland and Latvia, while only losing in overtime to Serbia, so with a little more luck, could have been unbeaten. The all-action Barreto has been instrumental in their efforts, with her huge 25 point showing against Latvia evidencing how much she can impact on games. Even when her shooting was off radar against Serbia, she still contributed in other areas.

Noa Maria Djiu - Spain 

 

FORWARD

Average Stats: 9.3 PPG / 62% FG / 6.3 RPG / 2.3 SPG

She might not have been one of the leading names on watchlists for Spain's ahead of the action tipping off, but the forward has shown to be an ultimate team player. Her strength, efficiency, smarts, quick hands and hustle have all risen up to the surface to demonstrate that being effective and a top performer is not all about huge numbers. Spain will be so hard to beat when ballers like Djiu are contributing in so many different and positive ways.

Magdalena Szymkiewicz - Poland 

 

GUARD

Average Stats: 21.0 PPG / 4.3 RPG / 3.7 APG / 18.3 EFF 

The Polish guard arrived at the tournament with a big chunk of responsibility for the team's hopes resting on her shoulders and she has lived up to the hype. She is currently the leading scorer in the competition and has been doing so much more for her team in terms of creating and the hard work on the glass. That helped Poland to two wins and a competitive loss to Spain. Even if she has plenty of turnovers per game, that is barely surprising considering the intense defensive attention she is receiving. 

Reka Dombai - Hungary 

 

SMALL FORWARD

Average Stats: 13.7  PPG / 4.0 SPG / 3.3 APG / 2.7 RPG

What an amazing mentality that Dombai has and clearly evidenced by the way she responded to a nightmare stone cold 0 of 10 shooting performance on opening night in the loss to Czech Republic. Since then, she has showed toughness to get back into her usual higher gear with a couple of classy showings. She was the standout leader against Netherlands and played a much needed cameo for her team against France. Look out for her growing in influence as the tournament develops.

Matilda Ekh - Sweden 

 

GUARD

Average Stats: 13.0 PPG / 7.0 RPG / 1.7 APG 

Ekh is showing exactly why she played for her country last summer at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket in Valencia after a strong showing for Sweden in the Group Phase. Yet another player who suffered opening day blues from a shooting standpoint, she hit back in style and has been the focal point for wins against Belgium and Finland. If Sweden want to make it to the Quarter-Finals, she is the key as the absolute heartbeat of this team.

FIBA