CRO - Mazic does dirty work for NT

KATOWICE (EuroBasket Women 2011) - The transformation of Croatia at the EuroBasket Women is down to a lot of things.

The team couldn't shoot in its opening five games and was short on self-belief, at least in the opener against France when they were thrashed 86-40.

The side that came into the tournament 54th in the FIBA World Rankings for Women looked a sure bet to make an early exit.

A funny thing happened in Katowice, though.

Stipe Bralic's side won its next game against Greece, getting a game-winning basket by captain Sandra Mandir at the buzzer.

After blowing a 15-point lead against Latvia and losing their third Group D game, Croatia rebounded with a victory over Poland.

The Croatians were brushed aside by Montenegro, 81-60, in Group F, and again looked like cannon fodder with just one chance to get to the Quarter-Finals.

They had to beat Spain, the number five team in the FIBA World Rankings for Women, on Sunday.

Croatia accomplished that mission.

They hit nine of 22 shots from the arc overall, the most important coming after Spain had taken a 61-54 lead with 6:29 remaining.

Jelena Ivezic went to the other end and drilled a shot from the arc to spark a 14-0 run that Ana Sliskovic capped by splitting a pair of free-throws.

Croatia kept their noses in front and prevailed 75-71.

It was one the most famous wins in the nation's basketball history.

Mandir had 24 points while power forward Mirna Mazic was terrific with a game-high 15 rebounds to go with her four points.

Ivezic had 15 points and eight boards.

The players that score the points usually make all the headlines, and 33-year-old Mandir deserves all the attention that has come her way in Poland.

But Croatia needed a player to do the dirty work against Spain and that was Mazic.

"We just wanted to come out, play defense and out-rebound them," Mazic said to FIBA.com.

"Fortunately, our shots also fell today in the first half for the first time all tournament."

Mazic wore a stunned look in the aftermath of the win over Spain.

"Our goal had been to get past the first round, and now we have done even better by getting to the Quarter-Finals," she said.

"Why shouldn't we have a chance of winning our next game? We beat Spain, so we can win another."

Croatia even have a chance to play at the London Olympics.

Their aim will be to win their next game to assure themselves of a spot in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

Otherwise, Croatia would need to finish no lower than fifth.

"To get to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament would be amazing," Mazic said.

"We're just so happy."

FIBA