Built to win: Spain make it 20 women's youth podiums in a row

MUNICH (Germany) - Spain have underlined their status as one of the leading nations in youth basketball after they secured a staggering 20th podium finish in a row when they were crowned FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2026 champions. Their latest success extends their amazing podium streak which is unbroken for four years after starting with the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2022. During the period, and also including the FIBA U17 and FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup competitions, Spain have delivered six titles, landed eight silver medals and have also finished on the third step of the podium six times.

The last two summers have been particularly dominant, with Spain collecting a spectacular five of the six available continental titles - as well as making this year's FIBA U17 Women's Basketball Final against USA. It's an amazing accomplishment that Spain will now take into 2027 and shows why they are in second spot behind USA in the FIBA World Ranking Presented by NIKE, Girls.

Timeline

While much of Spain's success has been built on the teamwork and intensity that have become hallmarks of Spanish basketball, the streak has also featured some outstanding individual performances.

During the podium run, Spanish players have claimed MVP honors nine times and earned 25 All-Star Five selections.

Amelia Alonso was the latest to take home MVP honors, earning the award after leading Spain to the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket 2026 title.

More on Alonso's MVP award

Alonso wins MVP honors, headlines All-Star Five

Earlier this summer, Somto Okafor also showed her class by being named MVP of the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket.

Spain completed a clean sweep of the continental MVP awards in 2025. Gina Garcia claimed the honor at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket, Sara Okeke followed at the U18 event, before Isabel Hernandez completed the set at U16 level.

Awa Fam was another standout, being crowned MVP of the FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket 2024, while Iyana Martin famously earned MVP honors at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2023 on home soil in Madrid.

Highlighting the success of the Spanish pipeline, both players debuted at FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 and are expected to be highly influential for their country at the upcoming FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026.

It was the second time that Martin had been named MVP, also taking the accolade at FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket in 2022, while Noa Morro was the first player of the podium streak to be named MVP when she was recognized at the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2022.

Individual awards

FIBA