U18 Men’s Games: Thursday 22 December
SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) – It all comes down to this as the FIBA U18 European Championship enters its final day with plenty of intrigue all day.
Of course there is the classy match-up in the Final, but before that we have to find out the third team to get relegated to Division B; who takes fifth place and the final spot in the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017; and then who grabs the final space on the podium.
Watch all of the action live on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
Follow the action live throughout the day on the FIBA U18 European Championship live feed.
FINAL
Lots of history on the line with this tantalising match-up between European powers. The two teams have split their previous 12 games - with France winning the biggest encounter: the 1996 Final over Lithuania 77-72 with the likes of Nicolas Batum, Antoine Diot and Adrien Moerman. The French also have a chance to complete the FIBA U16 European Championship-FIBA U18 European Championship double after the 1998-born generation took the U16 title in 2014. That would match the U16-U18 double Batum and Co. accomplished in 2004 and 2006. A championship would be France's fourth - after 1992, 2000 and 2006 - and pull them into sole possession for third place on the all-time list behind the Soviet Union's 8 titles and 5 from Yugoslavia. Lithuania are shooting for their first title since 2010 and third in total - which would pull them even with France, Croatia, Spain and Serbia. Gytis Masiulis and Tadas Sedekerskis have been rock solid all tournament for Lithuania while Arnoldas Kulboka has had two big games - including his 24 points against Germany in the Semi-Finals - and Arnas Velicka has picked up his game tremendously in the last couple of games. France's main guy has been Sekou Doumbouya while Adam Mokoka has been solid throughout and Frank Ntilikina played like a budding superstar in the Semi-Finals. Both teams like to get out and run so controlling turnovers will be key as well as winning the rebounding battle. Three-point shooting could also play an impact though neither team has been outstanding from long range.
THIRD-PLACE GAME
Germany enter the Third-Place Game having never beaten Italy. Their last match-up was in 2006 and their biggest encounter was the only time Germany ever reached the top four and Italy beat them in the Third-Place Game in 1986. Germany will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing Semi-Finals loss against Lithuania where Kostja Mushidi was the only player to really step up his game. Look for Isaiah Hartenstein to be extra motivated to get this win. Italy for their part haven't been on the U18 podium since 2005. Davide Moretti and Tommaso Oxilia will be ready to lead their troops.
CLASSIFICATION 5-6
Spain v Bosnia and Herzegovina
The stakes are really high for this game as the winner will become the final team to secure their berth at the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017. Spain have reached four of the last five U19 global events while Bosnia and Herzegovina are shooting for their first-ever appearance. These teams have met twice before including Bosnia and Herzegovina's 70-64 win over Spain in the 2015 U18 Quarter-Finals. Spain's Sergi Martinez played at the FIBA U17 World Championship 2016 and he will certainly give all he can to play next summer at the U19 spectacle. Bosnia and Herzegovina star Dzanan Musa guided his team to their FIBA U17 World Championship debut last summer and he would love to do the same for next summer's U19 event.
CLASSIFICATION 7-8
Russia failed to bounce back from their tough Quarter-Final loss in falling to Spain in Classification 5-8. They have a chance to finish the tournament on a high note now - if Agasiy Tonoyan has a big game. With a victory, Finland could match their best-ever showing at this event as they were seventh in 1986. Edon Maxhuni has one more chance to be the leader of this generation at this level.
CLASSIFICATION 9-10
Greece and Serbia will be playing to finish off their competition on a high note. Their last match-up came in the 2014 Semi-Finals, which Serbia won. Greece will likely be led again by Michail Lountzis. Serbia meanwhile have already suffered their worst-ever U18 European Championship - their previous poorest showing was sixth place in 2008. Milos Glisic will probably be called upon for another big game for the Serbs.
CLASSIFICATION 11-12
Turkey have won the last five U18 match-ups against Slovenia and the home side are hoping to avoid a couple of negative marks which would come with a loss. Should Turkey lose, it would be Turkey's second-worst finish in this tournament, going back to 13th place in 1974. A 12th-placed finish would also tie Turkey for the worst record for the host nation - pulling even with Germany in 2002, Austria in 1986 and Sweden 1984 - all three tournaments being played with only 12 teams. Gaber Ozegovic is Slovenia's main weapon while the Slovenians must find a way to stop Turkish big man Ragip Atar.
CLASSIFICATION 13-14
The stakes of this match-up might not be as high as when Croatia beat Latvia in the 2013 Semi-Finals but it will be historic as neither Croatia nor Latvia have ever played Division B at this level. Croatia will need to find a way to slow down Latvia's Arturs Strautins while Karlo Uljarevic has been the leader for the Croatians and must have a strong game.
CLASSIFICATION 15-16
These two teams are meeting in U18 Division A for the first time since 1988 - albeit with both teams knowing they are going to Division B next summer. This is actually a repeat of the Division B 2015 Final, which Sweden won 73-72. The Swedes are looking to end the tournament on a high note with their first win. Israel also would like to grab at least one consolation win after losing their five games by a total of 17 points - including two overtime games and two losses in the final 2 seconds. This could turn into a shootout between Sweden's Olle Lundqvist and Yovel Zoosman of Israel.
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