BUDAPEST (EuroBasket Women 2015) - When it comes to making history, Serbia have done it in style after being crowned EuroBasket Women champions for the very first time.

Their 76-68 triumph against France in Budapest was not just their maiden crown at a major tournament, it was the first time they have eve finished with a medal.

Then there is the not so small matter of a first ever appearance at the Olympics, which will come in Rio next year after their victory handed them an automatic ticket for the 2016 Games.

Central to the success has been the return of Sonja Petrovic who was a late addition to the roster only a few weeks prior to the competition, in a surpise move which ended a six year spell in the international wilderness.

"When I first had the conversation with Coach [Marina] Maljkovic, it was top secret in Serbia," laughed the forward, who also won the EuroLeague Women title with ZVVZ USK Prague back in April.

"She told me she was bringing me back to help us get a medal and to the Olympics."

"And she did it," interjected team-mate and MVP, Ana Dabovic who scored a game high 25 points to go with the 22-point haul posted by Petrovic.

Both were named in the All-Tournament Team - as were Sandrine Gruda and Celine Dumerc, with the latter admitting that France had been second best.

"They deserved their victory and while I am disappointed, I am not as sad as I was in 2013," she said. 

"I don't feel that we let the trophy slip away - Serbia took it.

"I am happy with what we did in the tournament and already focused on the tournament to get to Rio."

Meanwhile Spain still managed to climb the podium - even if it wasn't right to the summit like two years ago in France.

The deposed champions endured a pedestrian start against Belarus, but soon found top gear to claim a 74-58 victory in win the Third Place Game.

Marta Xargay had a super seven of eight shooting night on her way to 19 points, while Alba Torrens dazzled with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists which helped secure a place on the All-Tournament Team.

Spain head coach, Lucas Mondelo was content had bounced back from their Semi-Final disappointment and praised his players. 

"We played 10 games, won nine and lost only one," he said.

"My team is always very competitive in every situation and against every style.

"We got our goals. We have qualified for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament and we have given ourselves another medal, so I want to thank my players."

While Serbia punched their ticket for the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament at the 2016 Rio Games, France, Spain, Belarus and Turkey - who beat Russia 68-66 in Saturday's Fifth-Place Game - will get a chance to join the newly-crowned European champions by competing in the 2016 FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

The next edition of EuroBasket Women in 2017 will be in Czech Republic.

Go to EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

FIBA