PRISTINA (Kosovo) – Malta and Norway progressed from the Group Phase with perfect 3-0 records and will face Albania and Cyprus respectively in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries 2024.
Amber Melgoza led Malta in scoring; averaging 21.7 points over their three Group A wins, the tightest coming in a 72-65 victory over hosts Kosovo and most comprehensive against Georgia 88-68 thanks to a Stephanie De Martino 30-piece.
Norway came from behind in the fourth quarter to narrowly beat Armenia 73-70 for their first outing, with clutch free-throws and defence from Aurora Sorbye, but proceeded to blow-out other Group B opponents Albania and Andorra by over 30 points.
Behind the two unbeaten teams, defending champions Cyprus were the next highest scorers and their only Group A loss came to Malta 82-71, in a repeat of the 2022 Final.
Similarly Albania were able to take care of Group B opposition Armenia and Andorra but came undone in a big way against leaders Norway losing 89-43.
Andorra and Georgia finished bottom of each group after neither won a game, although Group B’s third placed team Armenia only brushed past Andorra 45-43 with some tense late possession reviews proving vital after Claudia Guri collected 23 boards.
Tournament hosts Kosovo, who got their only win 92-58 over Georgia in the last game of the Group Phase, missed out on a place in the Semi-Finals and fail to match the bronze medal they won in 2021.
Semi-Finals: Malta v Albania Norway v Cyprus
FIBA