Suisse beat FLBB U16 67-51 in Mersch after overturning a slow start with sustained pressure and timely shooting. The hosts, coached by Rumen Galabov, opened sharply and closed the first quarter on a 9-1 burst for 20-11, with triples from Alexia Vevecka and Emma Wallenborn (6, 1.68 m) setting the tone.
Georges Beyrouthy's team adjusted in Q2. After Roya Milani NIA's three pushed it to 23-13, Suisse chipped away and then closed the half with a 7-0 run (from 30-25 to 30-32), fueled by Kelia Akoa and Alma Kapetanovic. The game flipped decisively in the third: from 33-32 for Luxembourg, Suisse strung together an 8-0 spurt capped by an Akoa (11, CHE) three, extended it with points from Zoya Clavel and a triple by Andrijana Lopez, and finished the period 52-40 after Eloise Lembo's three. The margin peaked at +16 at the buzzer.
Akoa led Suisse with 17 points and 6 steals, igniting the key runs, while Kapetanovic (4, CHE) added 16 points on 7/10 from two (70%), repeatedly finishing at the rim in the second half. Off the bench, Evi Bartel's 6 points and 10 rebounds (4/4 FT) stabilized the visitors.
For FLBB U16, Lena Agovic (7) posted 13 points, 6 steals and 5 offensive boards, and Wallenborn added 10 points, 4 steals and 2 assists. Fifteen-year-old Marie Gloden (2) battled inside for 13 rebounds and hit four late free throws. Shooting told: Suisse went 35% on twos and 27% from three (53% FT), while the hosts managed 26% on twos and 25% from long range (58% FT), with both sides at 28 turnovers in a high-pressure contest.
(AI generated)