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16 - 22
December 2016
21 Gytis Masiulis (LTU), 8 Arnoldas Kulboka (LTU), 1 Arnas Velicka (LTU)
20/12/2016
Review
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Buzzer beater sets up Lithuania date with Germany in Semi-Finals, Italy to face France

SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) – Arnas Velicka's three-point heave at the buzzer sent Lithuania into the Semi-Finals of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 and a date with Germany while Italy will take on France in the other final four battle.

Velicka threw in a prayer from near half court, sending the Lithuania players racing to pile up on him after an 82-81 win over Russia. Velicka ended with 18 points while Gytis Masiulis picked up 23 points and 13 rebounds and Tadas Sedekerskis scored 15 points. Russia wasted a 27-point showing by Grigory Motovilov.

Lithuania's opponent in the Semi-Finals will be Germany, who withstood all Spain could dish out for a 78-74 win - Germany's first over Spain at this level since 1986, snapping an eight-game losing streak. Oscar da Silva paced the Germans with 17 points while Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Aleix Font hit for 23 for Spain but it was not enough. Spain will face Russia in the Classification 5-8 games. 

Italy booked their ticket to the Semi-Finals with a hard-fought 61-56 win over Finland with Davide Moretti leading the way with 14 points. Finland got 20 points from Edon Maxhuni in the loss. 

The Italians will face France in the Semi-Finals as Les Bleus handled Bosnia and Herzegovina 75-61 with Sekou Doumbouya collecting 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. Adam Mokoka chipped in with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Dzanan Musa was Bosnia and Herzegovina's top scorer with 19 points. 

Finland will square off with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Classification 5-8.

Germany, Lithuania, Italy and France all also booked their spots in the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017. The fifth-placed team will also clinch a berth in the tournament.

The four winners of the Classification 9-16 games can breathe a sigh of relief as Slovenia, Greece, Turkey and Serbia all return to Division A at the U18 level next summer. 

Gaber Ozegovic scored 17 points as Slovenia picked up their first win of the tournament 86-70 over Latvia. Greece got 20 points from Vassilis Christidis while Michail Lountzis had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in an 80-69 victory over Sweden. Greece and Slovenia will play in Classification 9-12 while Latvia and Sweden face off in Classification 13-16. 

Hosts Turkey also locked up participation in Division A next summer with a 71-69 win over Croatia. Ragip Atar collected 18 points and 14 rebounds. Serbia knocked off Israel 69-63 thanks to 20 points and 7 rebounds from Milos Glisic. Serbia will square off against Turkey in Classification 9-12 and Croatia battle Israel in Classification 13-16. 

Re-live all the action on the FIBA U18 European Championship live feed.

Tuesday's Results:

Quarter-Finals 

Germany 78-74 Spain

Lithuania 82-81 Russia

Italy 61-56 Finland

France 75-61 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Classification 9-16

Latvia 70-86 Slovenia

Greece 80-69 Sweden

Croatia 69-71 Turkey

Serbia 69-63 Israel

FIBA