SKOPJE (North Marceonia) - Spain reclaimed their spot atop the continent with a strong late finish to beat Italy and win the FIBA U16 European Championship 2023 for their sixth cadet title.

They went on a 17-4 surge in the closing minutes to knock off Italy 77-68 and add the 2023 trophy to the ones in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016 and 2019. MVP Guillermo Del Pino paced the Spanish with 22 points and Maximo Garcia-Plata added 16 points.

The first quarter went back and forth with 8 lead changes and Spain were ahead 22-19 after 10 minutes. Spain began to impose their will a bit in the second quarter and the advantage reached double figures at 39-29.

The Spanish pushed the lead to 12 points in the opening moments of the second half 44-32. Italy trimmed the deficit to 48-45 but then went scoreless for nearly 4 minutes and trailed 53-45. Italy found their way into the game and led 63-58 with under 5 minutes to play. The Spanish put it into another gear for a 17-2 run - including a long three-pointer and driving layup by Garcia-Plata inside the closing minute to lock up the win.

Key Storylines

- Spain claim sixth FIBA U16 European Championship crown and Italy settle for fifth silver medal;
- Guillermo Del Pino named MVP to headline All-Star Five
- France never give Lithuania a chance, lock up back-to-back third place finishes;
- Germany beat Slovenia for fifth place and qualify for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2024;
- Israel defeated Montenegro in the Classification 13-14 to stave off relegation to Division B. 

Top Performers

Jayden Hodge saved the best for the end as he registered a tournament best 51 efficiency in Belgium's final game - a win over North Macedonia. Hodge tallied 30 points on 14-of-18 shots and 1-of-3 free throws while also picking up 18 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks.

Daris Sijaric of Serbia had a big outing as well as he registered an efficiency of 30 against Greece with 23 points on 8-of-13 shots and 7-of-8 free throws, 13 rebounds and 1 steal.

Arturas Butajevas gained his spot despite a losing effort as Lithuania fell to France despite the center's 28  effiency. He poured in 23 points on 10-of-17 shots and 3-of-3 free throws to go with 14 rebounds, 1 assist and  1 block.

Declan Duru picked up an efficiency of 27 for Germany in a big win over Slovenia. He collected 22 points on 11-of-20 shots, 15 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals.

Another Serbian player made the Top Performers as Ognjen Srzentic had an efficiency of 25. He made 5-of-10 shots and grabbed 13 rebounds to go with 5 assists and 3 steals in a win over Greece.

Results of the Day

Final

Italy 68-77 Spain

Third Place Game

France 88-62 Lithuania

Classification Games

Germany 65-52 Slovenia
Greece 60-71 Serbia
Poland 61-54 Turkey
Finland 63-73 Latvia
Montenegro 63-81 Israel
Belgium 90-72 North Macedonia

FIBA