Slovakia Win As Netherlands Run Out Of Steam

Forward Lucia Kupcikova led Slovakia in scoring with 13 points

The Slovak Republic didn't have it all their own way for three quarters but finally saw off the challenge of the Netherlands on Saturday in the EuroBasket Women Qualification Round.

In a Group C game, the Dutch team battled hard but offered very little offensively in the fourth quarter and crashed to a 70-48 defeat.

The visitors overcome a 10-point deficit to lead 32-31 midway through the third quarter, with center Naomi Halman scoring five straight points to put them in front.

Katarina Tetemondová answered for the Slovakians, burying a three-pointer and Lucia Kupcikova followed with a basket to take the lead to 36-32.

Ivan Vojtko's team stretched the advantage to 48-40 by the end of the frame.

The hosts then put the defensive clamps on the Netherlands, holding them without a basket for the first six and a half minutes of the fourth quarter.

When they finally ended their drought, the Slovakians had a 62-42 stranglehold on the contest and victory was assured.

Kupcikova led Slovakia, who improved to 2-1, with 13 points.

Halman had a game-high 20 points in defeat for the Netherlands, who fell to 0-3.

Quotes Slovak Republic vs. Netherlands

Netherlands head coach Meindert van Veen
"We didn't start well in the first quarter but in the second quarter we were able to come back in the game. Two three pointers against us decided the course of the game and our heads went down. The result isn't good for us."

Slovakia head coach Ivan Vojtko
"Who saw the first quarter, surely wouldn't believe that we could have problems with this game. Who saw the game between the 10^th and 25^th minute, would not believe we may win by 22 points. We played as a team what makes me really happy, but we have to eliminate the mistakes in the next games. The "blackout"of our key players was obvious, but the girls from the bench mainly Minčíková and Tetemondová really helped us. I hope the next game against Slovenia may be the one when everything will go without problems."

Netherlands player Naomi Halman
"Because of three injuries we were missing some of our key players and it's very difficult to substitute them and step into the game. It was difficult because we have suffered several big losses until now but I believe that we haven't shown what lies in our NT, hopefully in the next home game against Belgium we will be able to turn the unlucky series."

Slovakia player Gabriela Kubatová
"We couldn't catch the rhythm of the game, it was tough, our opponents played very compactly in defense - we lost many balls under the basket. I think the beautiful tree pointer scored in the third quarter by Janka Minčíková was crucial. From this moment we grasped the course of the game. I feel we will play the best game in Ljubljana because we haven't shown everything yet."