The 2007 bronze medalists Belarus finally showed the potential many expected of them by knocking off Lithuania 61-55 to remain alive for the EuroBasket Women 2009 Quarter-Finals.

Anatoli Buyalski's team booked their first victory in the Qualification Round Group F in moving to 1-3 while Lithuania dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 0-4.

Neither team was eliminated as the group's final standings will be determined on Tuesday.

Belarus captain Nataliya Trafamava knocked down four three-pointers in scoring a team-high 16 points while Yelena Leuchanka collected 13 points and 14 rebounds and Anastasiya Verameyenka had 12 points and nine rebounds. Leuchanka and Verameyenka also combined for five assists and five blocked shots.

"This was do or die for us. Our backs were against the wall. That is when we co-operate better as a team, as weird as it may sound. But we just came out and played how we usually did before this tournament," said Tatyana Troina, who added three points, two rebounds, two assists and some tough defense.

Lithuania turned the ball over only eight times but were out-rebounded 45-33 and made just 5 of 20 three-pointers (25 percent).

Egle Stakneviciene paced the Lithuanians with 17 points while Sandra Valuzyte had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.

"I think they played really better first of all. They had a big advantage on the boards and more rebounds. And that was the deciding factor," said Lithuanian coach Rutenis Paulauskas.

Buyalski said afterwards that he wanted to use his team's size advantage and have the offense move through Leuchanka and Verameyenka, adding: "Today we found the co-operation between the guards and post players which we were missing."

Both Leuchanka and Verameyenka scored and Trafimava knocked down a triple for an early 7-2 lead.

Daina Staugaitiene evened the game back up with a three-ball to make it 9-9. And Belarus were ahead 12-11 after 10 minutes.

Trafimava and Yuliya Dureika both started the second quarter with triples to push the advantage to seven points and Leuchanka and Verameyenka fed each for jumpers and a 22-13 lead and a Lithuania time-out.

The Lithuanians answered with the next four points but Buyalski settled down his troops and Trafimava nailed a long ball and Leuchanka converted a three-point play for a 30-17 gap.

Belarus remained disciplined even after two turnovers and Marchanka nailed a triple at the half-time buzzer to make it 37-23 at intermission.

Verameyenka's foul shots to start the second half made it a 16-point gap - Belarus's biggest lead of the tournament.

Leuchanka scored five points in the quarter to help Lithuania from chipping too much away of the margin, which was still 50-39 after three quarters.

"Even though we had a comfortable lead throughout nearly the entire game, it still didn't give us any relaxation," said Bulayski.

Marchanka was sent to the bench in the first few seconds of the fourth quarter with a bloodied nose after receiving an elbow to the face. She would miss nearly five minutes and Stakneviciene would drain two triples and Rima Valentiene hit a long ball of her own to bring Lithuania within 53-50.

But Trafimava and Troina saved Belarus as both knocked down triples for a 61-52 advantage with 2:30 to play. And Lithuania scored just one point in the final four posssessions.

Anatoliy BUJALSKIY, Belarus Head Coach

"This game was exciting for spectators, full of suspense from the first to the last minute. This game was the last chance for both teams, and an uncompromised fight was seen from the first to the last minute on the floor. We will come out for the next game with Turkey to fight until the last minute."

Rutenis PAULAUSKAS, Lithuania Head Coach

"Belarus played better than us, they had a bigger advantage on the board, and won the battle for rebounds and that's why they won. Our team is young; we have a lot of prospects. I'm not disappointed; I see good future for the Lithuanian women's basketball."

Belarus have been a shadow of the team that captured the hearts of Europe in 2007, when they took home the bronze medal in Italy. Anatoli Buyalski's team - with a 0-3 record - is in disarray at the moment and face a must-win situation to reach the last eight.

Lithuania meanwhile also have lost three in a row for an 0-3 record in the group, but Rutenis Paulauskas's team has been unlucky in dropping a couple of close contests. And the Lithuanians can actually afford a loss against Belarus without being eliminated unless Italy beat Russia. Paulauskas definitely would rather avoid that.

Head-to-Head: This will be the first match-ups of the former Soviet republics.

Last Time Out: Belarus lost their third straight game in the competition with a 66-51 loss against Russia. Lithuania failed to hold a 10-point lead late in the third quarter in losing to France 57-55 for their third straight defeat.

Key Match-Up: Belarus low post players Yelena Leuchanka and Anastasiya Veremeyenka vs. Lithuanian front court. With the Belarus point guards struggling, Buyalski could have the offense move more through Leuchanka and Veremeyenka. Both of the low post players will have to more involved in the game plan, meaning Gintare Petronyte, Egle Stakneviciene and Agne Ciudariene will be called upon to defend well.

X-Factor: Belarus forward Tatyana Troina. The sharpshooter is Belarus's leading scorer missed the team's first game in the Qualification Round with a leg injury and her playing will be a game-time decision. Belarus could desperately use Troina's outside shooting to give Leuchanka and Verameyenka some space to operate in the post.

Key Stat: 4.3. Lithuania have been unlucky in losing their last three games (Turkey, Russia and France) by an average of 4.3 points. Paulauskas's team has yet to find a way to win a close game down the stretch.

Sounding Off: "Losing is not an option for us now. We will play hard and give our all. We will also try to involve our younger generation to get them more into the team and try to give them some experience." Belarus coach Anatoli Buyalski.