Spain's suffocating defense led to some efficient fast-paced offense as they beat Sweden 81-69 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The result was a big blow for Sweden as it ended their chances of securing a semi-final berth. Only a win over last year's runners-up, combined with France beating Russia in the last game at SPU on Thursday, would have seen them through to the last four.

Ozge Yavas made a pair of free-throws with 12 seconds left in the game as Turkey held off the Ukraine 74-72 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The Turks scored the first 11 points of the game and looked on their way to a straight-forward enough win as they took a 47-38 half-time lead, thanks to a three-point clinic in the first half.

Serbia put to good use their height advantage as they overpowered Bulgaria 78-61 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

Sara Krnjic had her fourth double-double of the tournament already in the bag by half time with 14 points and 10 rebounds as Serbia finished Group F of the Qualifying Round with a 2-3 mark.  The 1.91m centre would go on to finish with game-highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds.

With their place in the semi-finals of the U18 European Championship for Women already booked, Lithuania were able to enjoy themselves on Thursday morning.

The players, coaches and various managers all took part in several games of knock-out to end their practice session.

Aurime Rinkeviciute hit a clutch pair of free-throws with 23 seconds left as Lithuania held off the Slovak Republic 55-52 and remained unbeaten in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The result was a crushing blow for the host nation who dropped to 2-2 in Group E of the Qualifying Round, while the Lithuanians are certainly assured of a place in the semi-finals with a 4-0 mark.

The Czech Republic took care of business by beating Turkey 72-56 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

Katerina Bartonova scored a team-high 16 points while Klara Rosenbaumova had a solid all-around game with 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists as the Czechs improved to 3-1 to take sole possession of second place in Group E in the Qualifying Round. Meanwhile, the loss saw Turkey drop to 1-3 and fifth place.

France held off a mighty Spain 62-58 to stay perfect at the U18 European Championship for Women.

The win meant that Les Bleus are one of only two undefeated teams in the tournament - Lithuania being the other - and with a minimum of nine points are through to the semi-finals.

Russia used a 16-1 spurt right after the break to open a double-digit lead and see off defending champions Serbia 74-55 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The Russians trailed 31-29 at the break, but came out all guns blazing to outscore their opponents 25-12 in the pivotal third quarter.

A strong push late in the third quarter propelled Poland past the Ukraine 73-64 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The result sees Poland improve to 2-2 in Group E of the Qualifying Round while their opponents dropped to 1-3.

Yet another three-point barrage proved the winning formula for Sweden as they beat Bulgaria 73-60 in the U18 European Championship for Women.

The Bulgarians got off to a quick start and were up 9-6 following Stefka Nikolova's lay up. But Frida Fogdemark and Jennifer Kucukkaya found their stroke from downtown to spearhead an 11-0 run that swung the game in Sweden's favour as they took a 21-11 lead heading into the second quarter. They were able to cruise from that point onwards.