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.
France and Latvia kept alive their´hopes of reaching FIBA World Championship 2006 in Brazil by winning important games on Saturday.
The top five sides from Europe qualify for next year's tournament in Brazil and both France and Latvia were knocked out of medal contention on Friday when losing quarter-finals.
Spain were a number too strong for Latvia in the quarter-finals of EuroBasket Women in Ankara on Friday.
Spain, who are seeking to equal or improve on their bronze medal in 2003, overwhelmed Latvia in a dominant first half performance in which they outscored their opponents 39-21.
