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    France

    75-50
    Final score
    ( 24-16, 19-14, 22-7, 10-13)
    30 August 2008 20:00h
    Villeneuve d' Ascq

    Croatia

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    Referees: Robert Hickman (ENG), Ilona Kucerova (CZE) Spectators: 1500
    GAME REPORT
    BOXSCORE
    PLAY BY PLAY
    30 August 2008

    France rolled to a 75-50 triumph over Croatia in Villeneuve d' Ascq on Saturday night for their fifth successive win to effectively book a place in next year's EuroBasket Women in Riga.

    Les Bleues now top Group C ahead of Hungary (3-2) and Slovakia (2-3).

    Celine Dumerc, the feisty point guard of Bourges in the EuroLeague Women, had 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds for France, who led 24-16 by the end of the first quarter and stretched that to 43-30 by half-time.

    Pierre Vincent's team delivered the knockout punch in the third quarter, outscoring the Croatians 22-7 before cruising to a big win.

    France had not been quite so impressive in the first meeting between the sides, winning that encounter by just four points in Croatia.

    Marta Cakic scored 12points for Croatia, who are now 1-4 in Group C.

    30 August 2008
    Emmanuel Hermouet, France player:

    "We've followed the game plan perfectly. And we feel pretty good about that. However, there are still some games to win and we feel much more confident now."

    Pierre Vincent, France Coach :

    "It is without a doubt the most outstanding game that we've played so far. All the players have responded really well tonight. The variation between the inside and the outside game was done in a very efficient way. That gave us more possibilities to win the game. Now, the game in Slovakia is going to be tough as well, but we want to get another victory."

    PHOTO GALLERY

    TOP PERFORMERS

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    headshot
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    11Pts8
    5Reb4
    7Ass0
    17Min16

    ACCUMULATED STATS

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    France
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    Croatia
    31/54FG M/A18/55
    25/44 (56.8%)FG2P M/A18/43 (41.9%)
    6/10 (60.0%)FG3P M/A0/12 (0.0%)
    7/11 (63.6%)FT M/A14/18 (77.8%)
    39 (10-29)Reb (O-D)21 (8-13)
    16Ass6
    22TO16
    11ST10
    2BS0
    20PF13
    75Pts50