U16 WOMEN

Belgium defeated the Czech Republic 75-59 on Wednesday to top their second round group at the U16 European Championships for Women.

And it will see Arvid Diels side meet France in Friday's quarter-finals in what promised to be an intriguing tie in Cagliari.

The Belgians briefly trailed early in the game but the Czechs powered away with an 18-4 run to threaten an upset.

It was misplaced hope. Belgium closed to 37-36 at half-time and went on front early in the third, eventually using a 20-6 burst to stamp their authority as Hind Ben Abdelkader added a game-high haul of 22 points.

The Czechs, led by 14 from Mariana Opocenska, drop into the classification play-offs for ninth position.