SERBS KILL GB’S OLYMPIC HOPES

By Mark Woods
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Updated: June 14, 2015

Great Britain were destroyed 76-54 by Serbia in a second half rout at EuroBasket Women on Sunday.

After fighting back from an early deficit with some inspired play from Stef Collins, Pete Buckle’s side were blown apart with a 32-5 run from the Serbs that began late in the second period.

Down 36-26 at half-time, GB – with Chantelle Handy winning her 100th cap – had simply no response and a burst of eleven successive points opened up a 58-31 cushion.

And a team-best 13 points from Rachael Vanderwal – plus 11 points and 10 rebounds from Temi Fagbenle – was merely a drop in a deep ocean as Serbia booked their place in the second round.

With Latvia shocking Russia 68-62 later on, not even a win over Croatia by in their final group game on Monday would prevent a first round exit for Pete Buckleâ€™s side – killing off their hopes of landing a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

“That was really tough to take,â€ said Collins.Â “We did so well to recover after an awful start and I thought that just before half-time, we were actually playing with some rhythm and shooting the ball reasonably well.

“But we have to find some consistency in what we do and must put in a display against Croatia that is for the full forty minutes.

“We can’t have lapses and must really step it up as we have done in the past.”

Serbia, who will face the Russians for top spot in the group, were paced by 17 points from Sonja Petrovic.

Standings: 1. Serbia (3-0), 2. Russia (2-1), 3. Latvia (2-2), 4. Croatia (1-2), 5. Great Britain (0-3).