Anke De Mondt (Belgium)

Belgium played in their first European Championships since 1985 this summer and their performances suggests it will not be such a long wait for another appearance in a major tournament.

One day after being mauled 98-62 by the Czech Republic in a quarter-final, the Belgians hit back for a 86-80 win over Slovakia with Nele Deyaert scoring a game-high 23 points for the victors.

Benny Mertens´ side led by as many as 11 points at the end of the first half but were unable to pull away.

Slovakia kept it close and closed the gap to 82-80 in the final minute but Ann Wauters and Deyaert each made two free throws to preserve the victory for Belgium.

Belgium can now finish as high as fifth if they defeat France on Sunday while Slovakia take on Serbia & Montenegro in a clash which will decide the seventh and eighth places in the classification.