Turkey win overtime thriller to earn promotion alongside Montenegro

SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - It proved to be a dramatic day in Skopje at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship Division B as Turkey and Montenegro booked their respective spots in the top tier for 2023.

Turkey earned promotion in dramatic circumstances as they inflicted absolute heartbreak on the previously unbeaten Slovenia with a 60-59 victory in overtime. It was a big comeback win, since Turkey had trailed by as many as 18 points earlier in the game. Banu Simsek had a classy 7 of 8 shooting performance to lead her team with 15 points.

Montenegro had to hold off a strong challenge from Israel to secure their promotion, eventually claiming an 81-71 win as both teams lit it up from long-range.

Montenegro's win was paced by another fine display from Marija Lekovic

Marija Lekovic was the standout for Montenegro and finished with 25 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. while Eden Zipel and Yarden Garzon recorded 21 and 17 points respectively for Israel, who will now play Slovenia for third place.

In the classification games, Germany were too good for North Macedonia as Sarah Polleros and her 17 points took them to an 87-44 victory. They will play Greece for a top five finish after their next opponents swept aside Norway 78-53. Ioanna Chatzileonti fired 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Elisavet Bountouri added 18 points.

Ukraine collected their biggest victory as they hammered Armenia 109-35, benefitting from a team high 21 points from Daria Dubniuk.  Switzerland stormed past Georgia 84-42 as Emma Chardon showed her quality with 16 points. Romania crashed past Iceland 79-60 as Eva Petrof garnered a stellar 28 points, while Slovakia raced to a 78-40 victory against Kosovo, with Lucia Zilinska scoring 18 points.

FIBA