Lithuania take OT win; Luxembourg turn heads; derby delight for Sweden

MUNICH (Germany) - The first FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers window ended as it started, with plenty of talking points, drama, surprise and excitement for fans during an intriguing Gameday 2.

With most nations having stepped out twice, the various groups are already beginning to take shape and there will be a lot to consider between now and the next window in November 2024. 

Key Storylines

- Lithuania edge out Poland in overtime thriller

- Sweden work hard to get past Denmark in Scandi derby

- Luxembourg make everyone sit up and take notice as Etute excels

 

Celebrations for Lithuania after OT drama

Lithuania took what could be a pivotal 75-73 overtime win in Poland. It always looked like being a crunch matchup in the Group between these two and so it proved in this first encounter. Poland will be kicking themselves for not making the most of 23 offensive rebounds and still losing - although 15 missed free-throws didn't help.

Their chances also slimmed when influential playmaker Weronika Gajda fouled out, with Lithuania happy to make the most of their opportunity - led by the brilliance of veteran center Gintare Petronyte. She registered 25 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Sweden take down Denmark in derby matchup

It's a perfect 2-0 first window for Kevin Taylor Lundgren and his Sweden side after they followed up last Thursday's nail-biting win against Great Britain by easing out Denmark 76-69. Once again it was an intense battle and in a repeat of their previous outing, Sweden got the job down down the stretch.

Klara Lundquist was outstanding and claimed 28 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals, while Ellen Nystrom posted a very nice cameo with 15 points. The defeat was tough on Maria Jespersen and Julianna Okosun who scored 23 and 18 points respectively in defeat.

Incredible Etute helps Luxembourg to rise up

Minnows Luxembourg are sat proudly with two wins from as many games after Faith Ehi Etute put up a trademark inspirational offering in a 77-64 success against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The forward put up a remarkable 25 points, 14 rebounds and 4 steals to help get the job done. 

A super start to the game and turning up the defensive pressure to force Bosnia and Herzegovina into a massive 25 turnovers was also key. Meanwhile Esmeralda Skrijelj weighed in with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Hungary eventually tame Susiladies

The Finnish wolves almost bit unbeaten Hungary but the latter managed to emerge from Helsinki with a precious 67-56 victory to move to 2-0. While it what was a defensive dogfight, it was compelling for its intensity

Hungary came alive in the closing stages to put daylight between themselves and their opponents. Dorka Juhasz, Reka Lelik and Agnes Studer all scored 11 points for the winning team, with Awak Kuier typically impressive for Finland with 17 points, 10 boards and 4 blocks. 

Highs

Efficiency: 55 – Emma Meesseman (Belgium)
Points: 32 – Temi Fagbenle (Great Britain)
Rebounds: 14 – Faith Ehi Etute (Luxembourg)
Assists: 14 – Julie Vanloo (Belgium)
Steals: 9 – Laura Gil (Spain)
Blocks: 4 – Awak Kuier (Finland), Miroslava Mistinova (Slovakia)

Sunday, November 12

Group A: Spain 75-34 Austria; Croatia 81-57 Netherlands 
Group B: Finland 56-67 Hungary; Slovenia 78-63 Bulgaria
Group C: Azerbaijan 136-28 Belgium; Poland 73-75 OT Lithuania 
Group D: Sweden 76-69 Denmark; Estonia 43-85 Great Britain 
Group E: Ireland 48-100 France 
Group F: Romania 77-93 Slovakia; Iceland 65-72 Turkiye
Group G: Ukraine 63-78 Portugal; North Macedonia 60-103 Serbia 
Group H: Luxembourg 77-64 Bosnia and Herzegovina; Montenegro 85-61 Switzerland 
Group I: Greece 75-66 Czechia; Germany 53-70 Italy 

FIBA