Eva Nemcova completed a dream EuroBasket Women for the Czech Republic by burying a three-pointer with just eight seconds to lead her side to a thrilling gold medal game triumph over Russia.
In a rematch of the final two years ago, Russia led by as many as 14 points in the second half but the Czechs staged a remarkable comeback to clinch a 72-70 victory.
Coach Alain Jardel may not be in charge of the French women's team at next year's World Championship in Brazil despite helping them qualify for the competition.
Les Bleues finished fifth at the EuroBasket 2005 in Turkey to confirm their place but the president of the French basketball federation, Yvan Mainini, has hinted the side could be going to South America without their charismatic coach.
France proved at the EuroBasket Women 2005 that every cloud does have a silver lining.
An unsuccessful campaign - some might say unfortunate - ended on a high note as Les Bleues comfortably dispatched Latvia 85-62 on Sunday to secure fifth position and qualify for the next year's FIBA World Championship for Women.
Spain coach Domingo Diaz believes justice has been done after his side claimed a bronze medal in the EuroBasket Women with an 83-65 win over Lithuania in the third-place play-off.
It was third time lucky for Diaz's side, who had lost a preparation game to Lithuania last month and who were also beaten by them in the group stage.
The Czech Republic are no longer the 'nearly women' of European basketball after a stunning come-from-behind, gold medal win on Sunday against Russia - their nemesis in recent EuroBaskets.
The Russians beat the Czech Republic 61-51 in the quarter-finals in 1999 and then in 2003, Jan Bobrovsky's team went unbeaten before falling to Russia 59-56 in the title clash.
It was no consolation for Russia's heartbreaking final second loss to Czech Republic in the gold medal game, but Maria Stepanova was selected as the 2005 EuroBasket Women MVP following Sunday's final in Ankara.
The 202 cm Stepanova was a force during Russia's attempt to go for a second consecutive gold medal, and fully deserved the title as the tournament's top player.
Spain ended the EuroBasket Women on a high by beating Lithuania in Ankara on Sunday to snatch bronze for the third time in a row.
Having suffered a disappointing semi-final defeat to the Czechs, Domingo Diaz's team bounced back for a convincing 83-65 win.
France salvaged their EuroBasket Women experience with an 85-62 demolition of Latvia on Sunday to finish fifth in the tournament and qualify for the FIBA World Championship for Women 2006.
Alain Jardel's team proved they were among the better sides in Ankara, and possibly the unluckiest of all after finishing second in Group A to the Czech Republic and then being drawn against Russia in the quarter-finals.
