Rock-solid Gibraltar celebrate maiden title in Andorra

ANDORRA LA VELLA (FIBA U18 Women's European Championship 2018, Division C) – Gibraltar lifted the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship 2018, Division C for the first time after delivering a seismic 56-49 upset against the previously undefeated Malta in Sunday's drama-packed battle for the trophy.

After placing third in the Group Phase, the Franisco Zafra Ruiz-coached Gibraltar upped their game for the medal round to climb atop the podium in Andorra la Vella with back-to-back wins against higher-seeded opponents. 

Having caught Moldova off guard in the Semi-Final, the rock-solid Gibraltar dominated from start to finish against Malta as well, with their advantage even reaching double figures at one point.

 Marta Perez Castro posted an 18-point, 9-rebound and 5-assist performance, Mireya Benitez Lopez collected 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while Emily Feeke finished with 6 points and an incredible 25 rebounds. 

For Malta, Michela Zammit Cordina and Anthea Micallef were the only player in double-figures, with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

The triumph in Andorra was a landmark moment for women's basketball in Gibraltar, who had never placed on the podium in a FIBA competition for women.

Gibraltar left it all on the court in the Final

The tournament hosts Andorra also found a happy ending, defeating Moldova 55-41 in the Third-Place Game to claim bronze, with Lies Bosma Cortes leading the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 blocks.

Julia Marquez Tomas chipped in with 13 points, while Carla Solana Perez had her fingerprints all over the win with 6 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 11 steals and 3 blocked shots.

On the opposite end of the floor, Maria Terzi and Olga Cozonac had 11 points apiece for Moldova, who had to settle for fourth place after missing out on the podium.

FIBA