GB U18s Edged Out by Netherlands, Now 2-2

Great Britain Under-18s saw their promotion hopes dented at the European Championships on Tuesday after falling to a 73-67 defeat against the Netherlands, in Oberwart.

Vanessa Ellis’ side were left to rue another costly third period as they now drop to a 2-2 record with victory against Denmark not guaranteeing a top-two finish.

Holly Winterburn top scored with 22 points with Charlotte Ellmore and Shauna Harrison both adding 11 points and five assists.

Loren Christie weighed in with nine points, seven rebounds and five steals in the defeat.

Box score.

An even opening period ended with Netherlands beating the buzzer from 3-point range to lead 22-19. However, GB began to pick up momentum with their own outside shooting with Ellmore, Winterburn and Katie Bennett all connecting from beyond the arc.

Bennett and Loie Webb stepped up in the back-court with Alix Henderson sat on three fouls in the first half.

Netherlands started with a 5-0 run to open the third before Winterburn netted a three out of a timeout. However, the charge continued as the gap began to widen with a late score from an inbounds play made it 53-44 in favour of the Dutch.

GB closed to within five in the fourth, but their opponents managed to keep them at bay and an 8-0 run seemingly helped put the game beyond doubt at 63-50.

The belief never wavered and Winterburn netted three triples in a big 14-3 run from GB to make it a one-point game heading into the final minute.

Netherlands produced an instant response once more and held their nerve with a 5-0 finish to seal the win.

GB play their final group game against Denmark on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 7:15pm UK time.

Do you like our work?

We have a tiny favour to ask. In 2018 we set out to make Hoopsfix sustainable by building our relationship directly with our readers. Up until now, Hoopsfix has been creating editorials, videos and podcasts to provide sorely missing coverage of the British game and its distinct culture and community.

We have funded Hoopsfix with our freelance work creating basketball media, but sadly that means not only does it fall behind our client’s priorities, but some of those clients are the same organisations we need to report objectively on putting us in a conflicted position.

We want to devote more time to our mission of helping British basketball reach its potential, and produce even more content for the basketball community by making Hoopsfix a sustainable 100% independent business funded directly by our readers through Patreon.

If everyone who enjoys our content chose to support us, our future would be much more secure. For as little as $3 per month, you can support Hoopsfix – and it only takes a minute.

We are tremendously honoured and humbled to have a community of people who value what we do, and we look forward to being at the forefront of the British game as it continues to evolve.

Support Hoopsfix