England’s U18 Men are through to the European Championship (Division B) semi-finals despite losing to Czech Republic 63-55 on Thursday after a disastrous third quarter.

 

Coach Steve Bucknall’s 32-25 halftime lead turned into a 46-40 advantage to the Czechs by the beginning of the fourth quarter. A 2-point Luke Nelson jumper at the five minute mark of the third made it 40-33 to England, but the Czechs held them scoreless for the next six and a half minutes while stringing together a 15-0 run to take the lead.

 

England managed to trim the gap to as little as four points with just over three minutes remaining, but it wasn’t enough and Czechs finished with the win.

 

Nelson led England’s scorers with 17 points while his teammate Rowell Graham had a good afternoon with 11 points and 9 rebounds. From the Czechs, Radovan Kouril had a good stat line of 16 points, 6 boards and 7 assists.

 

England, however, are through to the semi-finals starting on Saturday against the team who finishes second from the other second round group.