MINSK, 7 September (BelTA) – The Belarusian team clinched its first victory in the FIBA EuroBasket 2017 Qualifiers defeating Portugal 72-62 on 7 September, BelTA has learned.
Alexander Krutikov's men took the initiative from the very first minutes on the Minsk ground, sometimes expanding the advantage to up to 20 points. In the third quarter, however, Portugal found their legs to nearly close the gap. Belarus held on to clinch their first victory over winless Portugal, behind 16 points and 10 boards from Artyom Parakhovsky.
In its Group D opener Belarus lost to Estonia 62-81 and then fell to Poland 79-97. Poland and Estonia currently go with two victories each.
Group D standings are as follows: Poland – 4 points (2 games played), Estonia – 4 (2), Belarus – 4 (2), Portugal – 3 (3).
Belarus will next play Estonia in Minsk on 10 September. The Belarusian team will then travel to Poland on 14 September and Portugal on 17 September.
The first-placed teams in each of seven groups and four best runners-up will qualify for the Final Round of EuroBasket 2017. The four hosts: Finland, Turkey, Romania and Israel, and also the teams of Spain, Lithuania, Serbia, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, the Czech Republic, Latvia (teams that participated in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments and/or Rio Olympics) qualify directly for the Final Round of EuroBasket 2017. The Final Round is scheduled for 31 August to 17 September.
