Slovak Republic avoid FIBA Europe relegation round

The Slovak Republic avoided a possible place in FIBA Europe's U20 relegation round by beating Great Britain (74-61).

As a result the final Group D game between Russia and Serbia has no importance for the relegation round.

For Great Britain the task was simple. They had to beat Slovak Republic and a qualification was possible depending on the result between Russia and Serbia.

Otherwise it was life in the relegation round.

Great Britain were still without their two sick players and then they lost Rosie Haynes in a freakish accident before the game even started.

She was taken to hospital for stitches and a check-up accompanied by her mother.

For the Slovak Republic Martina Kissová did not play, she still had an ice pack on her knee.

The match itself turned into a technical chess match with the Slovak Republic just doing enough to win the game.

First-quarter run helped Slovak Republic seal the game

A frantic start to the game with quick exchanges at both ends of the court got the supporters excited.

However after the storm both team settled down and the Slovak Republic took control of the match.

They exposed the Great Britain defense with several back door plays and with Zofia Hruscákováby (left in picture) shooting well, the Slovak Republic put on a 9-0 run.

So with just seven minutes played the Slovak Republc led (19-10) and appeared to be comfortable.

Yet Great Britain closed down the lanes for the rest of the quarter before Erin Mc Garrachan started a mini-revival for Great Britain to close with a 5-0 run to trail (13-19) at the end of the first quarter.

The Slovak Republic changed their tactics at the start of the second quarter. But they only managed to score 4 points in the first four minutes despite having a monopoly of the ball.

Their coach decided an early time-out was necessary although they still led (23-15).

The game was becoming more physical and Great Britain started to win their one on one duals and also managed to reduce their deficit midway through the quarter (22-26).

However a loss of concentration by the British side allowed the Slovak Republic to regain control with excellent clutch shooting by Hruscáková and Marta Páleníková who scored 15 and 7 points apiece in the first half.

The Slovak Republic went into the locker room ahead (39-28).

The third quarter did not have the same intensity of the first half. It was only after Great Britain' coach Frans Griffioen (in picture) picked up a technical foul for complaining the game livened up.

The flood gates opened with a flourish of baskets but the Slovak Republic still had the edge and went into the final quarter leading (58-48).

Great Britain attacked the basket aggressively with Femi Hamilton doing most of the scoring at the start of the final quarter (57-61).

However the Slovak Republic coach Maros Kovacik was not too pleased and during a time-out warned his players what might happen if they lost.

His team went back to basics and conceded just 4 points the rest of the way as they strolled to victory (74-61).

The Slovak team go to the second phase while Great Britain will have to fight for their FIBA Europe Division A status in the relegation round.

SLovak: Petra Bartánusová 1, Zuzana Ivancáková 0, Martina Letková 11, Barbora Bálintová 10, Zofia Hruscáková 17, Marta Páleníková 11, Nikoleta Feketeova 0, Gabriela Nagyová 6, Martina Kissová DNP, Marianna Draganovská 2, Beáta Janoscíková 6, Angelika Oravcová 10

Great Britain: Olufemi Hamilton 17, Lana Doran 8, Rosie Hynes DNP, Renee Busch 6, Maisie Elston DNP, Francesca Whitby 2, Gemma Bullard DNP, Erin Mc Garrachan 9, Jennie Rodgers DNP, Cheridene Green 9, Vanessa Akra 0, Jessica Hurd 10