U18 Women: GB 36-38 Luxembourg

The last group match of the U18 women’s European Championship Group saw them lose a nail-biting game to Luxembourg.

The first quarter started with both teams fighting hard and the lead switched hands multiple times throughout the initial minutes. However, as the period drew to a close some great shooting from the line had GB go into the second up 13-7.

As the second started the game stayed close with GB growing their lead slightly to 7 points (16-9) throughout the beginning of the quarter. Luxembourg then called a timeout, out of this they narrowed the gap and tied the game with just 30 seconds of the half remaining then as the clock ticked to zero Luxembourg hit a 3 and went into the break up 20-23.

The third quarter was tight with neither team giving the other an inch as they approached the final quarter. Through a break away layup from Coach Dziurdzia’s side in the closing moments of the period they went into the final 10 minutes with a 5-point lead (27-32).

The final quarter saw another tight stanza with GB battling to retake the lead which they did and held till with just 25 seconds left on the clock Tanja De Rond hit a lead taking jump shot (36-37). Then Luxembourg hit 1/2 free throws as the game entered its last 10 seconds to secure themselves a narrow 36-38 victory.

This loss sees Coach Busch’s side finish fifth in the group and they now play North Macedonia in their first classification game.