GB Senior Women Suffer Czech Republic Defeat

By Sam Neter on June 19, 2013

The Standard Life GB women were defeated 66-55 by world ranked number four side, the Czech Republic, in their opening game of the second round of EuroBasket Women in Vendée on Wednesday.

Jo Leedham top scored for GB with 20 points but it wasn’t enough as the 2010 FIBA World Championship finalist sealed their first second round victory.

GB head coach, Damian Jennings, whose side faces Belarus in their next Group F game on Friday, believes his side is still capable of advancing into the quarter-finals, he said: “We have two more opportunities in this second round. We are a young basketball nation and we actually want to get very far so we are looking forward to the next two games.

“This game was one that had pockets of our brand of basketball and pockets where it didn’t. So we need to reflect on how we get 40 minutes of the type of basketball that’s going to keep us in.”

Leedham’s early three-pointer capped a promising start from Great Britain but the Czechs then took control to pull ahead for good late in the opening period.

Although GB forward Chantelle Handy sparked an 8-2 run that cut the gap to 25-23, it was as close as her team would come again.

Michaela Zrustova, who paced the Czechs with 20 points, converted from long range to cap a 7-0 run which pushed her side’s lead to 32-23 at half-time.

Despite the challenges from the size and relentless defence from their opponents, GB maintained their pursuit and won the rebounding battle in the game 45-40.

Kim Butler hit back-to-back scores to slice the deficit to 39-34 in the third, with Sheffield Hatters guard Lauren Thomas-Johnson providing a lift off the bench. However threes from Katerina Elhotova and Katerina Bartonova ignited an 8-0 spurt which widened the Czech lead to 47-36 heading into the fourth period.

Although Butler and Leedham tried to spark one more rally, the Czechs held them at bay to all but assure themselves of a place in the quarter-finals.

Butler, who added 12 points and five rebounds, still remains hopeful of making the next round despite the Czech’s victory, she commented: “We knew they had great shooters and size inside. Getting down nine at half-time and fighting our way back was tough and it’s a disappointing loss. But, we can take good things from this game. We have the upmost respect for them.

“We had spurts of greatness, finding the open person with great shots, and getting rebounds. If we get more of that, and hold on for 38-40 minutes, we’ll be up at that next level. I’m looking forward to the next game.”

The other games in Group F on Wednesday see Belarus face Serbia and unbeaten France meet Croatia.

Box score.

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