In the most important group stage match at the European Women’s Basketball Championship, Croatia defeated the Czech Republic 84-56 in Strasbourg on Sunday and will play the qualifying match for the quarterfinals, where they will meet the national team of Bosnia & Herzegovina, reports HKS.
After the initial test of strength, Croatia took the lead 27-17 on the wings of the playful trio Dojkić – Slonjšak – Tikvić. In the final 50 seconds of the first quarter, the Czechs halved the score (27-22).
The Croatia crisis lasted in the opening five minutes of the third quarter in which they allowed their opponents to return to the game (29-29). Coach Stipe Bralić used two time-outs. After the second, Ivana Dojkić immediately scored a three-pointer. It was a sign of a new onslaught for Croatia who returned to plus 10 (31-41).
In the third quarter, Croatia’s advantage grew from minute to minute, and they played the best basketball of their championship so far. In the 25th minute, it was +22 (34-56) and at the beginning of the last quarter +27 (45-72). No one could stop the Croatian machine that came back from being heavily defeated by France (-42) at the opening of the championship.
Ivana Dojkić (24 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds), Iva Slonjšak (18 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists), Ivana Tikvić (17 points, 8 rebounds), and Ana-Marija Begić (13 points, 10 rebounds) were the best players on the court. The others complimented them brilliantly for a great and well-deserved celebration.
Coach Stipe Bralić did not hide his satisfaction after the victory and optimism before the match against Bosnia & Herzegovina:
“We played stably and calmly with good shots and quality play in attack, and firmly and strongly in defense. The Czechs didn’t stand a chance. This is the first victory of the Croatia women’s national team against the Czech Republic since independence. It is important to have a good rest and surprise tomorrow against Bosnia, stop their American Jones, who is probably the best player in the world, and place among the eight best, which would be a phenomenal success. The girls will do their best and with a little luck, I hope for success,” Bralić emphasized.
National team members Ivana Dojkić and Iva Slonjšak are also optimistic.
“We did our best in defense and attack. Every girl who came in gave me extra energy and I’m really proud of all the girls and that’s how we should continue,” said Dojkić, whose words were followed by Slonjšak:
“Tomorrow against Bosnia & Herzegovina we need the same energy. Let’s go for all or nothing. I believe that the players, as they are today, will do their job. Let’s do the best we can.”
The two teams meet tonight at 18:00.
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