Day 3 recap: Luxembourg win to advance alongside Kosovo; Ireland clinch top spot
NICOSIA (Cyprus) - Luxembourg moved into the Semi-Finals at the FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries with a result that also sealed a spot for Kosovo.
NICOSIA (Cyprus) - Luxembourg maintained their unbeaten start at the FIBA Women's European Championship for Small Countries as they moved into the Semi-Finals with a result that also sealed a spot for Kosovo.
Nadia Mossong and Anne Simon top scored with 17 points apiece with four other players in double figures as Luxembourg eased to a 90-60 victory over Cyprus to go through as Group B winners - eliminating the hosts in the process.
Luxembourg used an 11-2 run at the start of the second to establish a double-digit advantage before they moved out of sight in the third quarter with a 25-11 period to all but make sure of the win.
Earlier, Ireland picked up from where they left off from their opener as they powered past Malta for a 78-48 victory to clinch top spot in Group A. Claire Melia played a key role in the win to finish with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists as attention now turns to the Semi-Finals.
Ireland were quick to gain the upper-hand and were able to build a 43-29 lead to take into the half-time break. The defense stepped up in the second half as they kept the 2016 winners Malta to seven points in the third period as they went on to complete an impressive performance.
19 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block? Yeah we'd be smiling too @Claire12799! 😁 #FIBASmallCountries pic.twitter.com/JwW0fVtTCw
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 22, 2021
The Semi-Finals take place on Saturday with Ireland facing Kosovo before Luxembourg take on Malta.
FIBA