Czechs Cruise Past Israel

Turning Point: After struggling to find their offensive rhythm, Eva Viteckova converted a long jumper at the end of a perfect ball switch around the key to put the Czechs 14-10 ahead. Israel would never come so close again.

Game Hero: Shay Doron carried Israel on her back offensively. If not for her efforts, the tournament's longest shots may have fallen out of contention before half-time.

Stats Don't Lie: The Czechs scored 32 points in the paint and Israel just
20. The winners also won the battle of the boards 56-33. Enough said.

The Czech Republic delivered an assertive showing on the opening day of EuroBasket Women to despatch Israel 72-56 in Bydgoszcz.

And the world championship finalists demonstrated their serious intent to challenge once again this summer.

Their inside presence was just too much for their under-sized opponents.

Although the Israelis scrapped and battled, they were kept off the boards and away from posing a major threat.

In the second half, inevitably, they tired. With nothing left to give, their challenge fell away.

It was no discredit. In the opening minutes, Shay Doron began her roll towards a game-high 16 points as her side went 8-2 ahead by using speed as an effective weapon.

The Czechs accelerated, however, and blew by. A 16-0 run pushed them in front for good and on their way to a 32-22 half-time lead.

Czech coach Lubor Blazek made further adjustments, forcing Israel to rely almost exclusively on its outside shooting.

It was a wise tactic. Another 11-0 burst widened the gap and there was simply no room for Eliyahu Rabi's side to manoeuvre.

Down 52-39 at the end of the third period, they fell away as the Czech front line imposed itself, Eva Viteckova standing tallest with 14 points as their thoughts turned towards Sunday's tie against Great Britain.