KONYA (Türkiye) - It was all on the line at the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2024, Division B as a quartet of nations safely rode their way into the Semi-Finals with three promotion spots up for grabs.
Great Britain were the first nation to secure their place in the final four defeating Denmark convincingly 86-61. The dynamic duo of Athena Thompson and Irene Oboavwoduo - currently one and two in tournament scoring -combined for 45 points to see their side through, despite a slow start.
Their opponents in the Semi-Finals will be Czechia, who themselves gave an assured performance to knock out Slovakia with a 76-43 success. Unlike GB, who suffered a Group Phase loss at the hands of Lithuania, Czechia are yet to be beaten after going 4-0 in Group D, and were led by Tereza Tegelova with 15 points on the day.
Czechia were relegated from Division A last summer, while Great Britain are yet to feature in the U16 Women's EuroBasket top division since the merging of the home nations in 2016.
On the other side of the bracket will be host nations Türkiye, after they scored a gameday high points total beating Austria 92-57. Their center Berfin Sahin recorded an impressive double-double of 16 points with 10 rebounds. They look to return to Division A after being relegated last summer, also on home soil.
In their way will be Romania, after they defeated the previously unbeaten Lithuania 77-66 to progress. Point guard Ioana Vanessa-Velcea went off for 29 points, including 5 three-pointers, making it four out of five games with 20 or more points. Her nation hopes to reach Division A for the first time since 2017.
Semi-Finals (Friday 22nd)
Great Britain vs Czechia Romania vs Türkiye
FIBA