SKOPJE (2016 FIBA U18 European Championship Division B) - All 24 teams were in action on Day 1 of the Championship in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Group B saw all three games finish with a 12-point difference.

Romania started the tournament with a 79-67 win over Austria. They were 28-19 behind after the first period, but a 28-11 second quarter was a perfect response, as Dan Tohatan had 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field.

Montenegro joined Romania with a 71-59 win over Belgium. Milos Popovic played an excellent game, scoring 27 points on 9-of-14 field goals, also grabbing 13 rebounds. Belarus entered the 12-point party in Group B with a 66-54 triumph against Portugal. Dzianis Vikentsyeu filled the box-score with 14 points, 17 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 2 assists.

Group A saw the closest game of the opening day. Hungary turned a 60-52 deficit into a 76-72 win over Poland with a 24-12 final quarter. Chester Lewis needed just 10 minutes to score 19 points and lead all scorers for the winning team.

Also in Group A, Bulgaria defeated the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 88-69. The one-two punch of Krastan Krastanov and Yordan Minchev was too much to handle for the hosts. Minchev had 26 points on a 12-of-17 shooting day, Krastanov added 24 points while connecting on 11-of-16 field goal attempts. Cyprus held off Ireland 67-61 to start their campaign in Group A with a win.

In Group C, Estonia built an 11-point lead at the half, which was just enough to survive a late run by the Netherlands. The game finished 71-65, Kristian Kullamae put on a magnificent all-round performance with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, all game-highs for Estonia.

Czech Republic's 30-7 second quarter was more than enough to gain control in a 66-53 win over Denmark. Michal Kozak was the top performer with 10 points, 17 rebounds and 2 blocks. Iceland had the most dominant win of the Group, following their 97-50 victory over Luxembourg. All 12 players played at least 9 minutes for Iceland, all of them got on the score sheet as well.

The biggest win of the day was in Group D. Georgia powered through for a 94-39 win against Albania. Just like Iceland, all Georgian players played at least 9 minutes and all of them scored at least a point, as well. Slovak Republic defeated Scotland 74-56 thanks to their 25-7 final stanza, and Ukraine handed England a 74-65 loss.

FIBA