LAT - Gruda saves unbeaten France again; Russia, Belarus win

RIGA (EuroBasket Women) - France and defending champions Russia remained undefeated at the EuroBasket Women in Latvia on Sunday and Belarus stayed in the hunt for a place in the Quarter-Finals with a win over Lithuania.

The French, having beaten Belarus, Israel and Lithuania by an average of 2.33 points in their previous three games, held on to defeat Turkey 55-43 on Day 2 of Qualifying Round action in Group F.

Pierre Vincent's side is clicking on offense, but defense is another story.

They held the Turks to 16 of 55 shooting from the floor, including 11 of 35 inside the arc.

Sandrine Gruda, France's only true threat on offense at the EuroBasket so far, had 20 points.

Her biggest contributions came at the other end in the first half when she set the tone for the defense by swatting two shots.

"She has really improved a lot for us defensively," Vincent said.

"Offensively, we are working on our game because we have problems with double teams. But of course, she is a great scorer for us and we need her."

France's biggest test of the tournament will come on Tuesday when the team goes up against Russia, who also improved to 5-0 with a 67-59 victory over Italy.

Veteran Svetlana Abrosimova had 19 points for the Russians on Sunday.

Belarus piled on the frustration for Lithuania by winning their game 61-55.

The Lithuanians began the tournament with a 71-49 drubbing of Serbia but have since lost four games in a row.

Belarus, the bronze medalists of 2007 and Quarter-Finalists at last year's Olympics, still have a chance to play for a medal.

The winner of their game against Italy on Tuesday will advance to the last eight.

FIBA