The Netherlands, Great Britain and Spain at the Top of their Groups
ECMWA 2025
The Dutch team finishes undefeated in the women’s group stage. Great Britain and Spain are unbeaten in the men’s group stage.
GER 61-65 ESP (M)
With first place in Group A on the line Germany and Spain came out firing, as a Thomas Böhme three got things started for Germany, while Eduardo Prieto answered with 4 straight points for Spain. Spain stretched their lead into double figures in the second quarter as Prieto couldn’t miss from the field finishing with 18 first half points shooting 100% from the field giving Spain a 39-27 lead at half time.
Germany battled back in the third quarter to take a 3 point lead heading into the final period which saw the lead changes hands several times but 3 free throws from Óscar Onrubia iced it for Spain who secured themselves first place in Group A with a 65-61 win.
Prieto finished with 21 points and 6 rebounds as Ignacio Ortega added 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists.
Thomas Böhme led the way for Germany with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
SUI 25-80 FRA (M)
France end their group stage with a comprehensive 80-25 win over neighbours Switzerland.
The dominance started with a 27-4 first quarter and continued to ramp up in favour of the French.
Alexis Ramonet shot 63% from the field, ending the game as top scorer with 15pts.
The victory means France finish 3rd in Group B.
Meanwhile for Switzerland, they finish the group winless, setting up a game with 5th place in Group A, hosts Bosnia & Herzegovina in a contest to determine the 9th to 12th standings.
NED 63-42 GBR (W)
Vying for first place in the standings, the two unbeaten teams faced off as Great Britain and the Netherlands traded baskets for the majority of the first quarter before the Netherlands forced stops inside and converted on the other end with Bo Kramer hitting a three to give the Dutch a 22-9 lead at the end of the quarter. Great Britain cut into the deficit as Lucy Robinson came off the bench scoring 11 of their 13 points in the second as they held the Netherlands to 6 in the period.
The Netherlands pulled away in the second half enroute to a 63-42 victory behind another big performance from Kramer who finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Xena Wimmenhoeve added 18 points and 9 rebounds.
For Great Britain, Robinson put up 19 points and 6 rebounds.
ITA 83-49 ISR (M)
A dominant 83-49 win for Italy against Israel see them secure 2nd place in Group B, advancing to the quarterfinals.
After a close fought 19-15 first quarter, the Italians began to pull away in the second period onwards, being in control for the majority of the game.
Captain, Filippo Carossino led the way with 17pts, shooting at 70% efficiency.
Israel, led by Shay Barbibay with 11pts, will now play the 9th to 12th qualification games, battling to keep their place in Division A.
TUR 83-49 AUT (M)
Türkiye beat Austria 83-49 to seal fourth spot in Group A and book their place in the IWBF European Championship quarter-finals.
Uğur Toprak enjoyed a game-high 28 points along with seven assists as Türkiye broke the game open in the third period, en route to outscoring their Austrian counterparts 22-9.
For Austria, Hubert Hager was outstanding, going for 27 points and seven rebounds, but otherwise, they were hampered by Mehmet Hayirli’s shoulder injury, keeping him out for the majority of the second half.
The Austrians finish Group A winless after five games.
GER 57-46 ESP (W)
Germany secured third in the group stages of the Women’s European Championships with a hard-fought 57-46 win over Spain.
However, despite leading from opening tip to the final buzzer, it wasn’t comfortable for the Germans, who had their Spanish counterparts over their shoulder throughout, but held their nerve down the stretch to bag their second victory in the competition.
Roli-Ann Neubauer impressed with 20 points, seven rebounds and eight assists helped along by 10 from veteran Anne Patzwald. Isobel Lopez paced Spain with 17 points and nine boards.
FRA 52-71 GBR (M)
Defending men’s champions, Great Britain go 5-0 in Group B with a 71-52 win v the Netherlands.
The victors amassed an 11-point lead at the half and looked comfortable from then on.
Youngster Oscar Knight once again led the way for GB with 15pts on 6 of 9 shooting in just over 14 minutes.
GB’s offensive onslaught continued in the second half with everyone getting a chance to see the floor.
For the Netherlands, veteran Mustafa Korkmaz led the way with 11pts at 50% efficiency. The Dutch securing 4th place in the group with a record of 2-3 in the tournament.
wrap ups: Caroline Bullock, John Hobbs, Dylan Cummings
photo: Mansoor Ahmed
