Friendlies mean very little in the grand scheme of things, but Lithuania coach Ramune Kumpiene won't have too much to complain about after watching his under-18 side's recent performances in France.

Kumpiene's team, in France preparing for next month's U18 European Championship for Women in Slovakia, beat Croatia, Poland, the United States and Australia.

Roman Skrzecz will be looking to leave the disappointment of his club season with Lotos PKO BP firmly in the past when he coaches Poland at the U18 European Championship for Women in Slovakia this summer.

The Gdnyia club, for the second straight season, finished runners-up to rivals Wisla Can-Pack Krakow in Poland's top flight.

Turkey and Belarus split a pair of friendlies in Istanbul this week as the teams stepped up preparations for next month's U18 European Championship for Women in Slovakia.

In the opener played at the Pamukspor Facilities in Istanbul on June 4, Belarus led 23-22 at half-time but a 15-4 run in the third quarter propelled the Turks to a 55-45 win.

Serbia are completing their first week of preparations in Novom Bečeju for July's U18 European Championship for Women in Slovakia.

Coach Zoran Kovacic, who led the country to gold at last year's event in Novi Sad, has 19 players in his group - five each from club sides Vojvodina NIS Naftagas and Radivoj Korać.

Ramune Kumpiene will lead Lithuania at the U18 European Championship for Women this summer in Slovakia.

The Baltic country will be looking to improve upon its 10^th place finish one year ago in Novi Sad, Serbia.

Swedish basketball enjoyed one of its finest and most important moments two years ago when the country claimed an unexpected bronze medal at the U18 European Championship for Women. 

In a country where football and ice hockey normally grab most of the headlines, the success put hoops in the limelight and helped the women's game build some much-needed momentum.

Ros Casares juniors Berta Chumillas and Tania Fonte are in the 14-strong Spanish Under-18 squad to play in a tournament in Bormio, Italy, from March 20-22. 

The event is a warmup for the U18 European Championship for Women in Slovakia, which takes place from July 18-27.