GB Under-20s Brush Aside Azerbaijan to Secure Spot in Last Eight

Image credit: FIBA

Great Britain Under-20s have qualified for the quarter-finals at the European Championships in Oradea, Romania after beating Azerbaijan 111-68 on Tuesday.

Andreas Kapoulas’ side advance with a 3-1 record and are now just two wins away from securing promotion back to Division B.

Carl Wheatle made history with an incredible triple-double with 11 points, 18 rebounds (10 offensive) and 10 assists in his side’s victory.

Danny Evans top scored with seven triples in a 25-point haul, while Amin Adamu added 19 points and Josh Steel had 14 with five players in double figures.

GB set the tone early on with a strong start as Josh Steel’s triple capped an 11-0 opening. Azerbaijan finally got their first points on the board after nearly six minutes with GB leading 20-7 at the end of the first with Yeboah scoring seven in the period.

Evans fired in his first triple early in the second as GB began to power clear with Steel firing in five points in the midst of a dominant 18-1 spell to push the lead past 30 points at 44-13.

Azerbaijan refused to give up without a fight and provided a competitive third period as they quickly doubled their first-half tally as the two teams traded blows throughout.

GB kept pace with their opponents, aided by a 3-point blitz from Evans as he went 3-6-9-12 in 90 seconds before adding a fifth soon after. However, their opponents had the final say in the period with a fortuitous triple to take the quarter 30-28.

GB made a 12-2 start to the fourth with threes for Amin Adamu and Andre Arissol as the gap hit 45 points at 92-47. The century was brought up by Wheatle midway through the final quarter before completing his triple-double with his 10th assist with GB rounding out a comprehensive victory.

Box score.

Note: Starters were Eytle-Rock, Steel, Wheatle, Yeboah & Langton.

GB now have two days before their quarter-final takes place on Friday with their opponent unknown as their place in Group B is still undecided.

Kapoulas’ side will only miss out on top spot if the Netherlands also finish 3-1.

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