Estonia are in danger of slipping out of Division A of the European Championship after being beaten 96-86 by the Czech Republic.

Estonia, who are taking part in the additional qualification round for EuroBasket 2005, have now lost all three games.

They must win Sunday's home game against Poland by more than seven points to ensure they are not among the three teams who travel to Novi Sad for the relegation tournament on 11-13 September. The winner of that tournament will stay in Division A, while the other 2 teams will be relegated.

Despite a 21-point haul by forward Martin Muursepp and a totemic performance by Kristjan Makke, Tiit Sokk's side could not live with the power and precision shooting of the Czechs, who pulled further clear at the summit of the table and kept alive their hopes of playing at EuroBasket 2005.

Sokk, who had been heavily critical of his players following their 75-57 defeat to the Czech Republic last week, preferred to pour lavish praise on his opponents this time round.

"The Czechs had so much confidence," he told Eesti Päevaleht. "They came to
win."