Italy Celebrates First Quarter-Final Appearance Since '95

Italy advances to the Quarter-Finals for the first time since 1995 after defeating a turnover-afflicted Lithuania 72-58 in a game that had an unlikely hero arise for Giampiero Ticchi's squad.

The Italian coach had been insisting in recent games that his outside players be patient and look inside to their center Marte Alexander instead of basing all their chances of victory on their three-point shooting and drives into the lane.

Last Chance For Italy, Lithuania

Italy and Lithuania face off in their final game of the Qualifying Round each with their last shot at making the Quarter-Finals on the line.

Coach Giampiero Ticchi's Italy qualifies for the Quarterfinals with a win.  They can also advance with a loss by up to seven points but only if Belarus lose to Turkey later in the day. 

Belarus Finally Show Style, Stay Alive

The 2007 bronze medalists Belarus finally showed the potential many expected of them by knocking off Lithuania 61-55 to remain alive for the EuroBasket Women 2009 Quarter-Finals.

Anatoli Buyalski's team booked their first victory in the Qualification Round Group F in moving to 1-3 while Lithuania dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 0-4.

Do-Or-Die For Belarus Against Lithuania

Belarus have been a shadow of the team that captured the hearts of Europe in 2007, when they took home the bronze medal in Italy. Anatoli Buyalski's team - with a 0-3 record - is in disarray at the moment and face a must-win situation to reach the last eight.