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Day 3 of the 2021 European Championships in Madrid, Spain, saw Great Britain and the Netherlands both notch up another victory in the women’s competition, with comfortable wins over Turkey (78-12) and France (81-28), respectively, to maintain joint top spot of the women’s table.
In the other women’s game of the day, Germany’s Katharina Lang led her side to victory over Spain, 55-34, making a double-double of 22 points and 18 rebounds (one off a triple-double with 9 assists). Beatriz Zudaire led Spain’s scoring with 10 points from the bench, as Germany’s tight defence held the Spanish offence to a shooting percentage of just 25%.
Before the start of the day’s play, Turkey were withdrawn from the men’s competition due to further COVID-19 positive tests in their delegation. The withdrawal means that all their remaining games in the group stages will be forfeited, meaning the scheduled game against Italy in the afternoon was an automatic 20-0 forfeit.
Spains vs Lithuania at the 2021 European Championships. Photo Credit: Steffie Wunderl Photography
Spain and Lithuania opened Group A’s games, and although Lithuania rallied in the second and third quarter, the damage had already been done with Spain cruising to an 86-48 victory to go 3-0 in the group.
Poland came out to cause an upset in Group A against an unbeaten Germany. A strong start saw them burst out to an early lead but the German’s drew it back, and as the lead exchanged hands throughout the rest of the game, it was decided in the last seconds as a Jens Albrecht layup won it for Germany, 72-70. Germany’s Thomas Bohme led all scorers with 30 points. A notable performance from Poland was Mateuz Filipski’s triple-double of 22 points, 15 points and 12 assists.
In Group B, a big third quarter by the Netherlands secured a 63-41 victory against Israel with four players making double digits (Bellers 12, Op Den Orth 12, Poggenwisch 11, and Zantinge 10). Israel’s youngster Radi Dagamin, at just 17 years old, top scored for them with 14 points.
Netherlands vs Israel at the 2021 European Championships. Image Credit: SA Images
Great Britain remains unbeaten at the top of Group B although it was a defiant performance in the first half by the less experienced Austrian team keeping the game to within five at half-time, 35-30. GB pulled further in front in the third before a dominant fourth quarter, 36-6, which gave them a straightforward 99-51 win.
The last game of the day saw France and Switzerland both looking for their first wins of the tournament, and it seemed the teams were well matched in the opening exchanges. Switzerland, coached by new Head Coach, USA’s Mike Paye, led at the end of the first quarter by 1, but a 17-2 run in the second gave France an 11-point margin at the half. That advantage never really looked under threat as they saw the game out to get off the mark, 66-48.
For more information about results, schedule and to follow the action on live stream visit the European Championships event page.
Images provided by Steffie Wunderl Photography/SA Images.
