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FIBA Europe U20 European Championship Women opens with big win for LatviaMartin Ziberts is back after a year absence from a FIBA Europe European Championship. His success rate with the 1990 generation has been good: in 2006 he coached the Latvian U16 team to promotion as runners up to Sweden. In 2008, he again won promotion with this generation of players this time as champions in the U18 category. He returns once again with this age group, but as coach of Division A hosts of the U20 European Championship.
Niedola who hails from Liepaja, the venue of the championships, scored a game high 29 points and collected 11 rebounds in 26 minutes of action as Latvia blew away Sweden (87-41). The game was over as a contest by the interval with Latvia leading (40-11). Kristine Vitola was the only other player in double digits for the hosts with 10 points and also 11 rebounds. Beata Gullberg led the Swedish attack with 16 points. In the other game from Group B, Russia beat Ukraine (79-74). The lead changed hands 11 times during the game. An 11-1 run during the final quarter finally swung the match in the Russian favour. Anastasiya Shilova was the match winner for Russia with 23 points, while for Ukraine Alina Iagupov poured in 22 points. Olesia Malashenko who plays in France with Arras had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Ukraine.
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Sabine Niedola (pictured left) who will be coming to play in France next season and Anete Steinberga (pictured right) are just two players from the Latvian team that have played for Zibert in these promotion years during youth competition.
Laurie Datchy (right) led the French attack with 16 points as her side climbed their first obstacle in their quest to defend their title.
