GB Under-18s Lose Out to Poland in Promotion Decider

Great Britain Under-18s missed out on promotion after falling to a 64-50 defeat against Poland in the bronze medal game at the European Championships in Dublin, Ireland, on Sunday.

Vanessa Ellis’ side finish a very respectable fourth after going 5-3 in the tournament, but the disappointment was clear having come so close to a spot in Division A for next summer.

Charlotte Ellmore top scored with 11 points in the promotion decider with Maya Price grabbing six boards to go with seven points as 10 players in total got onto the scoresheet.

Dani Lozzi had five points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals as well as two blocks for an efficiency rating of 15.

Box score

GB opened the scoring through Jade Blackburn and when Ellmore converted an and-1, the game was tied at 7-7 in the early stages.

However, Poland took control with a 13-2 run to open up a double-digit advantage, leading 21-11 after 10 minutes.

GB battled back in the second and closed to within four points with Megan Haines’ three-point play capping a 5-0 run. The last two scores of the half went to Poland with GB trailing 31-23 at the break.

Poland pulled further clear when play resumed as a 14-4 burst pushed the gap to 18 points – and that differential would remain at 53-35 heading into the final period.

GB refused to give up and battled hard in the last 10 minutes, and although the damage had been done, they edged the fourth quarter 15-11 to finish strong.

Notes

– GB’s starters were Lozzi, Ellmore, Winterburn, Blackburn & Knowles
– Five wins, three losses in GB’s first tournament at Under-18 level
– GB shot 0-of-14 from 3-point range
– Lozzi ranked second in assists (4.6apg) & first in steals (5.1spg)
– Ireland face Germany in the final with both teams unbeaten throughout so far

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