U16 WOMEN DIVISION B

Four group winners. Four unbeaten teams. Portugal, Slovenia, Lithuania and Germany will take perfect records into the second phase of the B Division of the U16 European Championship for Women in Arad.

The Slovenes, in a Group B with just three teams, had what was effectively a play-off with England for top spot and it proved to be a thrilling contest as they held off a furious fourth quarter fightback to grab a 62-60 victory, sparked by 17 points from Anja Valentincic.

18 points from Justina Kraujunaite, and an early 12-4 run, propelled Lithuania to top Group C with a 54-48 win over Israel. Hosts Romania snatched second spot with a fourth quarter flurry that cemented a 64-58 defeat of Bulgaria.

Joana Soeiro grabbed 18 points and 11 rebounds as Portugal headed Group A after beating Ukraine 55-36 while Latvia crushed winless Luxembourg 77-42.

In Group D, Germany - paced by 23 from Emma Stach - maintained their impressive start with a dominating 76-35 victory over Switzerland, holding their opponents to just six points in the third quarter. Denmark advanced in second place, Julie Hoeier snaring 21 points and 14 rebounds in an 84-47 win against Ireland.