The Slovak Republic used some outstanding three-point shooting from Zuzana Zirkova to open their EuroBasket Women qualifying campaign with a 66-47 win over Hungary on Wednesday in Group C.

Zuzana Zirková had a game-high 20 points for Slovakia

Although they were stuck in a battle for much of the first half, Zirkova shot 50% (six of 12) from long-range to make the difference.

Hungary gave the hosts some problems in the early stages, and led 18-14 on Zsofia Fegyverneky's three-pointer with 8:08 to go in the second period.

The Slovak Republic soon got back in front but Hungary would not go away as the two team's traded blows until half-time, which came with the hosts ahead by one, 25-24.

They began to pull away in the third period, though, with Katarina Hrickova's jumper sparking an 11-2 run - capped by a three-ball from Zirkova - that gave them a lead Hungary would not threaten again.

A volley of three-pointers early in the final period put the icing on the cake, and Zirkova's long-range effort with with 8:10 left in the game made it 52-39, allowing the Slovak Republic to cruise to the finish.

Zukova led the winners with 20 points, all but two of them from beyond the arc.

Hungary wasted a double-double from Anna Vajda as she finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds.