MATOSINHOS (Portugal) – The FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket 2025 tipped off on Saturday with defending champions France laying down a dominant marker in their win over hosts Portugal, while Belgium, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands also impressed with double-digit victories on the opening day.
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Key Storylines
France begin their title defense with 41-point rout of Portugal;
Istanbulluoglu drops 30 points to lift Türkiye past Latvia in Group C opener;
Balanced Belgium and fast-starting Spain both cruise to Group A wins.
Top Performers
Elif Istanbulluoglu stole the show for Türkiye in their 72–63 win over Latvia, pouring in 30 points on 7-of-18 shooting while also collecting a massive 16 rebounds and 2 steals. The forward, who plays her college basketball at Louisville in the USA, got to the line at will—converting 15 of 18 free throws (83.3 percent)—and finished with an efficiency rating of 32. Spain - runners-up in 2024 - showed off their championship credentials with a comfortable 94-69 win over Israel. Marina Mata was dominant for La Roja; recording a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Israel simply couldn’t cope with the 20-year-old’s physicality in the paint, as Mata went 10-of-15 from the free-throw line. She also chipped in 3 assists and committed zero turnovers in 25 minutes of action, earning an efficiency of 28.
Mata's teammate Ines Miguez was equally crucial in Spain's win, delivering an efficient and energetic shift with 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting. But arguably her biggest impact came on the defensive end, as she grabbed 8 rebounds, snagged a game-high 4 steals, and protected the rim with 2 blocks. She posted an efficiency rating of 22. Italy may have come up short against Poland, losing 79-74 in overtime, but Martina Fantini’s interior presence didn’t go unnoticed. The 19-year-old center was highly effective around the rim, converting 6 of her 10 field goal attempts and securing 8 rebounds, along with 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in defeat.
2024 Division B champions Netherlands were also victorious in their return to the top tier of the U20 EuroBasket, sweeping Czechia aside 89-60 thanks in large part to a standout game from Mia-Elle Lieverst. Facing older opponents, the 16-year-old showcased her skill on both ends of the floor, hitting five of her eight shots from beyond the arc and swiping two steals. Lieverst finished with 27 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals for an efficiency of 27.
Results of the Day
Group A
Lithuania 80-91 Belgium Israel 69-94 Spain
Group B
Portugal 50-91 France Slovenia 84-75 Germany
Group C
Türkiye 72–63 Latvia Sweden 92–76 Iceland
Group D
Czechia 60-89 Netherlands Poland 79-74 Italy
FIBA