Comfortable wins on Day 1, Ireland make statement on return

CIORESCU (FIBA European Championship for Small Countries) - Defending champions Andorra tipped off their campaign with a comfortable win in the men's event of the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries 2016 in Moldova.

Andorra defeated Wales 74-33 after a stifling second quarter, that saw only a single point by the Welsh players. At the same time, David Eudal Martinez's men scored 22.

There was no coming back for Wales after the half. Andorra relied on Guillem Colom Barrufet and Albert Farfan De Los Godos to get the job done and both of them delivered. Farfan De Los Godos led all scorers with 16 points, connecting on four three-point attempts. Colom Barrufet missed all of his four shots from beyond the arc, but he was effective from the inside and finished with 15 points.

None of the Welsh players reached double figures. Asa Waite had eight points and grabbed ten rebounds. All 24 players played in the game, with 21 of them with at least a point to show for it. Andorra is up against Armenia on Wednesday, while Wales has to go up against the host nation Moldova.

The Armenians were impressive on Day 1, defeating Moldova 83-64. Andre Spight was in charge at the offensive end, finishing with 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting from the field. The defence was locked when Bryant Dunston Jr was on the court. Even though the 30-year-old was held to just six points and five rebounds, his three blocks were enough to move Moldova out of the paint. Denis Melniciuc had 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor for the hosts.

In Group A, Ireland made a triumphant return to FIBA competition, becoming the first team to hit the century mark, in a 100-43 win over Gibraltar. Kyle Hosford was the top performer in a balanced attack for Ireland. He had 15 points, Paul Dick and Brian Fitzpatrick added 14 each, while player-coach Colin O'Reilly flirted with a triple-double, finishing with six points, 13 boards and ten assists. Andrew Yeats with 13 points was the sole player in double digits for Gibraltar.

It does not get any easier for Gibraltar in their second game. They will be facing San Marino, a team that charged to victory over Malta with a sublime third quarter. San Marino won the third period 20-7 to build a 61-41 win in the tournament's opening game. San Marino rode on the back of their double-double heroes, Andrea Raschi and Matteo Federico Botteghi. The former collected 15 points and 16 rebounds, whilst the latter finished with 19 and 13 respectively. Tevin Alexander Falzon had 14 points and 13 rebounds for Malta, who will be facing Ireland on Wednesday .

FIBA