ALYTUS & KLAIPEDA (Lithuania) - Another unforgettable FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket is in the books, and it's time to celebrate the players who lit up this year's event.
From standout performances to game-changing moments, these are the 10 stars who stole the spotlight throughout the tournament.
Sarah Cisse - France
CENTER
Birth Date: January 26, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 190 cm / 6'2" Stats: 15.4 PTS, 10.0 REB, 1.4 STL - 15.2 EFF
France's mentality, skill and depth won them this year's FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket, and at the heart of it all was Sarah Cisse, who averaged a double-double of 15.4 points and 10 rebounds per game along with 1.4 steals. She capped her showpiece tournament off with a monstrous 15 points and 23 rebounds in the Final against Israel, solidifying her MVP tag.
Gal Raviv - Israel
GUARD
Birth Date: December 25, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 178 cm / 5'10" Stats: 28.1 PTS, 6.1 REB, 6.6 AST, 3.0 STL - 30.1 EFF
Perhaps one of the most exciting scorers in women's basketball right now. Gal Raviv put the basketball fraternity on notice in Lithuania with insane scoring outbursts, including 37 points in the Quarter-Final win over Poland. What made her performances impressive was her unselfishness, dishing 6.6 assists per game along with her astonishing 28.1 points in the run to the Final.
Ines Soleto Miguez - Spain
POWER FORWARD
Birth Date: October 5, 2006 (19 years old) Height: 190 cm / 6'2" Stats: 12.4 PTS, 6.4 REB, 1.4 AST - 15.0 EFF
A creative and smart player who was instrumental to Spain's run to the podium, Ines Soleto Miguez shot an impressive 51 percent from the field, averaging 12.4 points per game on a balanced scoring attack that is so typical of how Spain plays their game. This year, it didn't end with a title that they lifted the previous summer, but Soleto certainly has a bright future.
Daniele Paunksnyte - Lithuania
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: July 21, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 178 cm / 5'10" Stats: 20.3 PTS, 6.0 REB, 6.0 AST - 21.0 EFF
Lithuania's Daniele Paunksnyte was a matchup nightmare throughout the tournament, running the floor and dominating the boards effortlessly. Averaging 20.3 points per game, the three-point expert shot an impressive 42 percent from beyond the arc, taking an average of eight shots per contest. She was a headache for opposing players to deal with.
Ines Pitarch-Granel - France
SHOOTING GUARD
Birth Date: May 6, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 181 cm / 5'11" Stats: 13.5 PTS, 4.7 REB, 2.8 AST - 14.4 EFF
Ines Pitarch-Granel loved to run on the open floor and was a key figure in France's run to the U20 Women's EuroBasket title. She averaged 13.5 points per game on 45 percent shooting, and got 1.8 steals per game as well as part of their unbeaten campaign.
Petra Bozan - Croatia
CENTER
Birth Date: February 10, 2006 (20 years old) Height: 192 cm / 6'3" Stats: 21.4 PTS, 15.4 REB, 2.4 AST - 29.0 EFF
Petra Bozan signed off from this year’s FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket with seven double-doubles in seven games, capped off with a 22-point, 12-rebound effort against Türkiye. A fierce competitor under the basket with a high basketball IQ.
Maria Burliga - Poland
SMALL FORWARD
Birth Date: September 17, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 182 cm / 5'11" Stats: 14.6 PTS, 7.7 REB, 2.7 AST, 1.9 BLK - 19.4 EFF
A solid performer throughout the age groups for Poland, Maria Burliga was once again their standout in a campaign that saw her side finish fifth. The skilled forward averaged 14.6 points on an efficient 52 percent from the field, securing three double-doubles in the process, plus hitting the game-winning free throw against the hosts, Lithuania, that bagged fifth spot.
Berglind Hlynsdottir - Iceland
GUARD
Birth Date: May 22, 2010 (16 years old) Height: 174 cm / 5'8" Stats: 17.3 PTS, 3.7 REB, 3.4 AST, 1.4 STL, 1.4 BLK - 15.0 EFF
At just 16-years-old, Berglind Hlynsdottir more than proved herself playing against players older than her. She regularly filled the stat sheet for Iceland, shooting 34 percent from three-point land with a 32-point eruption against Italy, her standout performance.
Lea Vukic - Croatia
GUARD
Birth Date: August 9, 2007 (18 years old) Height: 183 cm / 6'0" Stats: 18.7 PTS, 9.0 REB, 4.0 AST - 18.7 EFF
Finishing just shy of a double-double, Lea Vukic formed a formidable pairing with Petra Bozan, as the Yale University student averaged 18.7 points and 9 boards per game for Croatia. While at times, her shooting could be erratic, her control under the glass was exceptional, and when she needed to step up, she did just that.
Emma Giacchetti - Italy
POINT GUARD
Birth Date: Mar 18, 2007 (19 years old) Height: 178 cm / 5'10" Stats: 15.6 PTS, 2.4 REB, 5.9 AST, 2.6 STL - 13.0 EFF
Italy avoided relegation and will continue in Division A next year, with Emma Giacchetti a huge part of their survival. She averaged 15.6 points, with her standout performance coming in the Group Phase game against Serbia, when she posted 24 points and 10 rebounds. She then relegated the same side with 16 points in their final game.
FIBA