MATOSINHOS (FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2016) - Cecilia Zandalasini signed off her youth career in an Italian vest by being named MVP of the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2016.

While Italy were unable to ride their way to the top of the podium after going down 71-69 in a final for the ages against Spain, Zandalasini was the main architect of propelling her team to a silver medal.

She fired a memorable 31 points in the Quarter-Final against Latvia and then followed it up with a dazzling 27-point haul in the Semi-Final overtime success against Serbia - eventually averaging 22 points.

It was a bittersweet evening for Spain's Laura Quevedo who won consecutive titles at the event and also landed herself another spot on the All-Star Five. However, she would play less than five minutes in the tournament climax after picking up an early injury.

Belgium's Julie Allemand claimed her place after demonstrating why she was drafted to the WNBA earlier this year. Using her EuroCup and EuroLeague Women experience with Mithra Castors Braine, she helped her team recover from a slow start to squeeze past derby rivals France into fifth place.

Aleksandra Crvendakic was a driving force for Serbia reaching the Semi-Finals. Although she suffered disappointment in the Third-Place game for a second time in Matosinhos after being edged out of a bronze medal at the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship two years ago, she showed her class with 16 points and 17 rebounds against Russia.

One of the main reasons for Crvendakic and Serbia falling short of the podium was Russia frontcourt star Raisa Musina who takes the last All-Star Five place. She was impressive throughout the tournament and particularly outstanding in the Third-Place game with a stellar 29 points and 16 rebounds.

FIBA