GB SEE-OFF DENMARK TO QUALIFY FOR WOMEN’S EUROBASKET

 

Great Britain qualified for this summer’s FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 with a resounding 75-58 win over Denmark in Gentofte on Sunday afternoon.

It was arguably GB’s most complete performance throughout their Group D odyssey, ahead from start from finish, leading by as many as 27 points and playing together.

There was a minor fourth quarter blip, but by that point, Great Britain were almost in cruise control anyway, finishing the campaign with a 4-2 record and a plus/minus of +114 to finish as one of the best runners-up in the Qualifiers.

Hannah Jump was outstanding, going 4/8 from three-point land for her 20 points. Savannah Wilkinson was consistent as ever, with 13 points and nine rebounds and Kirsty Brown shot 5/6 from the field for 12.

“We knew coming in that this was a must win situation for us,” Jump said afterwards.

“I think we stuck together really well, especially coming off our last game [against Estonia]. We took everything we learned from that and put it into today.

“We put ourselves in the best position possible, I’m super excited about EuroBasket and showing the world what GB basketball is all about.”

Julianna Okosun recorded a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead Denmark, matched by Sarah Mortensen’s 15.

It was the perfect start, as Brown scored GB’s first two field goals and six of the team’s first nine points, giving the team an early lead.

However, it wasn’t just on the offensive side where Great Britain was clicking; they disrupted Denmark’s flow, getting steals and forcing the hosts into six missed field goals before Okosun scored inside with just under four minutes played.

Things got better for Great Britain as the first quarter progressed, extending their lead to double figures through back-to-back scores from Jump, who had seven points in the opening ten minutes, as part of an 8-0 finish to lead 22-7.

GB’s determination to secure qualification was evident in the early stages. They shot a sublime 52% from the floor, forcing Denmark into seven turnovers and not letting them settle into their game.

The added bonus was holding Denmark’s key player Maria Jespersen scoreless in the first.

Jespersen would get her first score inside in the first possessions of the second, and GB coach Anna Montanana was forced into a quick timeout just more than two minutes played as Okosun reduced the deficit to 25-11.

That was to be Jespersen’s only score of the game.

A further 9-2 run blew Great Britain’s advantage wide open to 44-18 as their offence clicked and defence was suffocating, not letting the Danes into any rhythm, disturbing their attacking play, and forcing them into tough shots that were heavily contested.

There was a brief spell toward the end of the half for the hosts, highlighted by a three-point play from Nikoline Sandback. However, GB were comfortably at the summit, leading 44-24 at the break.

Denmark came into the third with renewed vigour, playing a free-flowing style that typified their preferred style of play, with Mortensen was key star emerging.

But despite this GB, mainly through Jump were still executing at their end, still able to lead by more than 20 points heading to the midway point of the third.

Jump though was a one-woman machine, easing her way to seven points in the first five minutes of the third quarter to keep the visitors’ lead sizable.

Great Britain’s lead only grew after seven minutes in the third, with long two-pointers, back-to-back from Cheridene Green and Sam Ashby, giving them a 60-38 cushion.

Leading 69-45 going into the fourth, GB found that the basket they were shooting in had a lid that was shut. Denmark enjoyed their best spell of the game, holding their counterparts scoreless for the first six minutes.

Wilkinson ended the cold spell with 2:41 remaining, finally getting Great Britain’s first score of the final quarter, halting the Danes’ eight unanswered points. A minor negative, on an otherwise flawless afternoon’s work.

And given how she performed all game long, it was fitting that Jump drained a corner three with 1:02 left to cap the win off.