Great Britain Shocks Montenegro in EuroBasket
In an emotional day at the EuroBasket, Great Britain achieved its first victory in twelve years, surpassing Montenegro with a score of 89-83. This triumph, led by Myles Hesson, who scored 25 points, marked a milestone for the British team and eliminated Montenegro’s hopes of advancing to the knockout phase.
Great Britain, despite having lost its previous four matches in Group B, demonstrated great resilience and collective play to surprise Montenegro, which needed the victory to secure its place in the round of 16.
Hesson not only excelled in scoring, but also captured seven rebounds, while Akwasi Yeboah contributed 23 points for Great Britain.
On the part of Montenegro, Nikola Vucevic, center for the Chicago Bulls, led with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. However, Montenegro’s 18 turnovers were decisive in the final result.
Both Montenegro and Great Britain were eliminated, benefiting Sweden, who advanced to the knockout phase for the first time, despite their defeat to Lithuania (74-71).
In other Group B results, Germany defeated Finland with a resounding 91-61, securing their undefeated position. Finland also managed to advance to the next phase, placing third.
The qualifying phase will take place in Riga, Latvia, starting on Saturday.
Portugal Advances Despite Queta’s Expulsion
Portugal secured a crucial victory over Estonia with a score of 68-65, ensuring their qualification from Group A, despite the ejection of Neemias Queta, center for the Boston Celtics, in the third quarter.
Estonia led 64-61 in the last minute, but Rafael Lisboa tied the game with a three-pointer with 54 seconds left. Lisboa, who finished with 17 points and five assists, added four free throws to seal the victory.
Portugal will face Germany on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Queta was ejected with 4:34 left in the third quarter, with Portugal leading by one point, after receiving two technical fouls. He had scored 15 points.
In the same group, Latvia defeated the Czech Republic with a score of 109-75, delighting the local fans, including President Edgars Rinkēvičs.
Brothers Davis and Dairis Bertans led Latvia with 20 points each. Kristaps Porzingis, center for the Atlanta Hawks, contributed 16 points and seven rebounds.
Latvia finished third in the group and will face Lithuania in the round of 16.
Turkey Overcomes Serbia and Advances as Group A Leader
Turkey secured its place in the next phase as the leader of Group A, after defeating Serbia with a score of 95-90, thanks to six free throws converted in the last minute.
The match between the two undefeated teams generated great anticipation, with Alperen Sengun and Nikola Jokic as key figures.
Sengun, center for the Houston Rockets, led Turkey with 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Turkey secured the victory with a series of free throws. Sengun scored two free throws with 41 seconds left, putting Turkey ahead 91-90. Shane Larkin was fouled and made both free throws with 15 seconds remaining. Sengun returned to the free throw line with 10 seconds left to extend the lead to 95-90.
Jokic led Serbia with 22 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
The next matches will be on Saturday: Turkey vs. Sweden and Serbia vs. Finland.
