SOFIA (FIBA U16 European Championship Division B 2016) - Russia and Israel reached the Final and won promotion to Division A. Ukraine and Slovenia will now face off in the Third Place Game for the final promotion ticket.

Slovenia were on a six-game winning streak, but the overtime against Belgium in the Quarter-Finals took away some of the firepower in the Semi-Finals. Israel won the second quarter 25-13 and never looked back, increasing the lead to as many as 19 points in an 83-71 victory.

Israel were brilliant from beyond the arc, hitting 12-of-25 three-pointers, and Slovenia had just a 6-of-35 shooting night from the same distance. However, Slovenia stayed in the game thanks to 20 offensive rebounds, leading to a 14-5 edge in second-chance points, but could not get any closer than within five in the final quarter.

Tomer Levinson collected a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds for the winning side. Raziel Hayun went 5-of-6 from long range to finish with 15 points, and Ofek Malka hit four triples to reach 14 points. Eidan Alber was also in double figures with 12 points.

For Slovenia, Nik Dragan had 14 points and eight rebounds, and Maksim Gorbachov finished with 13. Gregor Glas needed 14 minutes of play to score 11 points, and Jure Licen contributed with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Slovenia have to bounce back from their first defeat of the championship and beat Ukraine in the Third Place Game if they are to move back to Division A. Israel will look to finish off their perfect tournament with a win against Russia in the Final.

Russia had won the Quarter-Finals match-up with England 62-61, but there was no stress and drama in the Semi-Finals win over Ukraine. A combined 44-22 score in the second and third quarters paved the way to a 69-55 triumph, a place in the Final and a ticket back to Division A.

Russia held Ukraine to just three offensive rebounds, winning the battle on the boards 47-25 and building a 13-2 advantage on second-chance points. The Semi-Final saw a 30-point swing, as Ukraine had a 15-point lead in the first quarter, while Russia had that same lead late in the game.

Konstantin Shevchuk was the game hero for the Russians. He had 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, and also dished out six assists, grabbed five rebounds and stole the ball three times. Alexander Shashkov collected 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Alexandr Ershov finished with 14 points. For Ukraine, Sergii Skira had 14 points and eight rebounds.

FIBA