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28 July, 2018
05 August
0 Karlton Dimanche (FRA)
04/08/2018
News
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Who will take the #FIBAU18Europe title in Riga?

RIGA (FIBA U18 European Championship 2018) - We are down to four teams at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2018 - three of them who will reach the podium in Riga. Which will hoist the trophy to the heavens on Sunday? 

The field has tournament hosts Latvia in a showdown with Russia while the other Semi-Finals showdown pits two traditional powers battling for supremacy with four-time winners France against reigning champs Serbia. 

So who do you think will win it all? 

Latvia dropped their opening game to Croatia in Ventspils and haven't lost since, beating Greece and Italy in the Group Phase and then Turkey in the Round of 16 before coming to Riga and rolling past Great Britain to reach their first Semi-Final since 2013 - which was also played at home. 

Latvia have been led by their two Arturs' - Kurucs and Zagars - as well as wing Valters Veveris. Of course they also have the home fans on their side.

Russia came to Latvia as a 2000-born generation that made the jump to Division A from the FIBA U16 European Championship 2016, Division B. The Russians won their opening game in Ventspils against France before falling to Germany and then knocking off Turkey in the final group game. In the Round of 16, Russia beat Italy before holding off Lithuania for their first U18 Semi-Finals since 2012. 

Russia have a lot of weapons which can beat you including wings Nikita Mikhailovskii and Aleksandr Ershov and big men Pavel Zakharov and Alexander Shashkov among others. 

France lost twice in the Group Phase, the opener to Russia and then the third game to Germany. The knockout phase started with a win over Greece and then France needing overtime to upend Montenegro in the Quarter-Finals.

The French are led by captain Mathis Dossou Yovo as well as Joel Ayayi, Karlton Dimanche and Yohan Choupas. 

Serbia also lost their opening game - to Lithuania - and haven't dropped a game since, beating Great Britain and then needing overtime to hold off Montenegro in the group. An easy Round of 16 win over Ukraine was followed by a tough test for three quarters against Germany in the Quarter-Finals. 

The Serbians' main way to beat an opponent is the one-two big man punch of Filip Petrusev and Marko Pecarski with Zoran Paunovic really coming on over the course of the tournament as well. 

If you are looking for more FIBA U18 European Championship content, we invite you to check out the Live Feed and check out who the fans fancy in the MVP race.

FIBA