STOCKHOLM (Sweden) - Familiar foes, Spain and France, will battle in Sunday's FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket Final, while Poland and Belgium will contest the final ticket for next year's U19 Women's Basketball World Cup.
Stay up to date with the tournament and check out the latest results, group standings and competition system for all the information you need.
Key Storylines
Spain see off Serbia as they aim to retain the title;
France reach Final, end Finland's hopes of back-to-back championship games;
Poland and Belgium will battle for the last remaining FIBA U19 Women's World Cup ticket;
Montenegro and Hungary relegated to Division B.
Spain beat Serbia as they aim for lucky seven
Spain overpowered Serbia 79-56 as they aim to retain their U18 Women's EuroBasket crown.
However, they were briefly pushed by Serbia, who took a 19-15 lead after the first quarter, before Spain regrouped and found their groove that has made them so dominant in this competition so far.
Somto Okafor led the Spanish with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals; she also hit three triples in her haul. Nevena Petrovic shot 6-for-10 from the field as she paced Serbia with 15 points.
France beat Finland, sets up 2024 Finals rematch
France put on a controlled and sublime display as they put away last year's Finalists, Finland 82-62 in the Semi-Finals.
After the first exchanges, France took the lead four minutes in and never looked back, keeping Finland at arm's length before racing away in the third quarter, as they were able to take advantage of lacklustre execution from the Finns and take a lead that peaked at 25 points.
Guard Thelma Leray led the winners with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, with support from Camille Sevaux, who posted a double-double of 14 points and 11 boards. Jessi Nenonen led Finland with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
Top Performers
Croatia’s Olivia Vukosa made the ultimate statement with an individual showpiece for the ages, but was unable to help Croatia, as they lost 73-66 to Czechia in the Classification 9-12 game. Vukosa now stands alone on the top of the tournament’s points mountain as she exploded for 46 points, as well as 18 rebounds and 3 blocks
Poland kept their chances of booking the last available FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup ticket alive by beating Latvia 67-56. Their offensive leader, Zuzanna Marczynska, was the instigator as she shot 50 percent from the field for 24 points, while also pulling down 12 rebounds in an impressive display.
Montenegro’s Anja Adzic had a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds to go with 2 assists, but agonizingly for her, it wasn’t enough to prevent a heartbreaking 66-65 loss to hosts Sweden and as a result, it relegated them to Division B next summer.
The same fate fell on Kinga Josepovits and Hungary, who conceded free throws with under 15 seconds left, which Türkiye converted to seal a 58-56 victory over the Hungarians. It spoiled Josepovits’ effort of 7 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.
It wasn’t meant to be for Finland, as they bowed out at the Semi-Final stage, losing 82-62 to France. Aluel Machol led the Finns with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 1 steal. But despite the loss, they can still reach the podium, and they have next year’s FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup to look forward to.
Results of the Day
Semi-Finals
France 82-62 Finland Spain 79-56 Serbia
Classification 5-8
Latvia 56-67 Poland Italy 55-62 Belgium
Classification 9-12
Slovenia 49-65 Germany Croatia 66-73 Czechia
Classification 13-16
Sweden 66-65 Montenegro Hungary 56-58 Türkiye
Final
France vs Spain
Third Place Game
Finland vs Serbia
Classification 5-6
Poland vs Belgium
Classification 7-8
Latvia vs Italy
Classification 9-10
Germany vs Czechia
Classification 11-12
Slovenia vs Croatia
Classification 13-14
Sweden vs Türkiye
Classification 15-16
Montenegro vs Hungary FIBA