Czechs Edge Hard-Fighting Turkey

Turning Point: Veronika Bortelova converted the go-ahead three-pointer for the Czech Republic with 5:23 remaining after the Turks had come back from as much as 10 points down.

Game Hero: Katerina Elhotova was a perfect 6/6 from the field and 4/4 from the foul line for a game-high 19 points.

Stats Don't Lie: The Czechs went 8/13 from three-point range and the Turks 5/16. That proved the difference.

The Czech Republic withstood a second half rally from Turkey to remain unbeaten at EuroBasket Women and assure themselves of a spot in the next stage with a 56-51 win.

It needed a 7-0 run in the fourth quarter to break their opponents resistance and give the 2010 world championship finalists the momentum they required.

Elhotova delivered another outstanding display and she was instrumental as her team used a 7-1 start to accelerate into a 26-16 advantage with 3:39 left in the second period.

However Nevriye Yilmaz hit six successive points to cut the gap at half-time and then Emine Palazoglu hit back-to-back threes as Turkey levelled at 28-28 early in the third.

Every time the Czechs pulled ahead again, they were pinned back. Eventually Nevin Nevlin put her side in front for the only time in the game as they took a 37-36 lead into the fourth period.

But Bortelova - who had 14 points - and Jana Vesela each converted from long range to put the Czechs ahead and although Birsel Vardarli brought Turkey back into a 42-42 tie, they could not find a final push as a 12-2 Czech run proved decisive.

Palazoglu and Yilmaz had 11 apiece for the Turks who must beat Great Britain on Saturday to keep their ambitions alive.

Quotes Turkey vs. Czech Republic

Turkey Head Coach Ceyhyn Yildizoglu:
"Congratulations to the Czech Republic. Today they played a very tough game and had many easy scores under the basket. In the next game I think we will play better and we will win."

Turkey player Gülsah Akkaya:
"In our offense, we just missed the easy shots we normally make. And that made the difference. They're a good team. They made the final of the world championship. But we now have one day off to get ready to play Britain. And we need to get two wins."

Czech Republic player Petra Kulichová:
"I am very happy that we won the game because it was difficult and a very tough game. Despite having many turnovers, low shooting percentages and good defence from our opponent in the first half, we were much better when things changed for the better in the second half. That is when we won the game."

Czech Republic Assistant Coach Martin Petrovicky:
"Turkey is a team that has a great defence and we had problems at the beginning of the game getting through their defence. It was virtually impossible to get through. However our team also picked up their defence and this was what this game was all about in the end."