ALYTUS & KLAIPEDA (Lithuania) - After a week of edge-of-your-seat action, the emotional rollercoaster of the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket has just two teams remaining in title contention.
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
France beat Spain to end reign as holders;
Cohen's record-equalling three-point mark lands Israel in first Final;
Belgium and Spain to compete in the Third Place game;
Sweden and Slovenia relegated to next year's Division B after overtime losses.
France defeat holders to reach Final
France have ended Spain's title reign with a convincing 64-54 triumph to reach the Final.
In what was a fairly even first quarter, the French made their move in the second to take a narrow lead before racing away in the second half, stretching their advantage to as many as 11 points to bag the victory.
Ines Pitarch-Granel shot 7-for-9 from the field, leading the winners with 17 points and 2 steals, while Stella Coles added 15. Spain was led by Carla Cruz, who had 15.
Cohen ties record mark as Israel reach first-ever Final
Maayan Cohen produced a sensational performance with 26 points, inspiring Israel to a 78-69 victory over Belgium, securing the nation's first-ever place in the FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Final.
Cohen matched the tournament record for three-pointers made, knocking down eight shots from beyond the arc on her way to 26 points, while also contributing six rebounds and four steals. Ayala Oren added 16 points, while Gal Raviv chipped in with 13.
For Belgium, Kato Bevernage finished with 16 points and 7 assists, but her side will now compete in the Third Place Game.
Top Performers
Italy mustered a superb 77-68 overtime triumph against Slovenia. At the heart of everything was Emma Zuccon, who shot 6-for-9 from the floor and 8-for-8 from the foul line, finishing with a monster double-double of 21 points, 20 rebounds and 3 steals.
Lithuania came from behind to down Türkiye 80-69 in the Classification 5-8 games, with the hosts leaning on Daniele Paunksnyte, who went a stunning 7-for-12 from three-point land for 34 points, along with 8 assists and 2 steals, helping the Lithuanians fight back from a 66-61 third quarter deficit to bag the win.
Croatia’s hopes of finishing in the top five of the tournament were dashed with a 76-66 defeat to Poland in their Classification 5-8 game. Despite the loss, Croatia’s standout was Petra Bozan, finished with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 2 steals.
A new name joins the list for the most three-pointers converted in a single game as Maayan Cohen led Israel to its first-ever FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket Final. Cohen went a jaw-dropping 8-for-14 from beyond the arc, ending with 26 points as well as dishing out 6 assists and getting 4 steals as her side registered a 78-69 win over Belgium.
Lourdes Da Silva Costa was Sweden’s star in their overtime thriller against Serbia in the Classification 13-16 encounter. The University of Alabama forward had 22 points, 16 boards and 2 blocks but was unable to prevent the Swedes from a heartbreaking 79-70 loss.
Results of the Day
Semi-Finals
Israel 78-69 Belgium Spain 54-64 France
Classification 5-8
Poland 76-66 Croatia Türkiye 69-80 Lithuania
Classification 9-12
Iceland 74-85 Germany Hungary 79-60 Latvia
Classification 13-16
Sweden 70-79 Serbia (AOT) Slovenia 68-77 Italy (AOT)
Final
France vs Israel
Third Place Game
Spain vs Belgium
Classification 5-6
Lithuania vs Poland
Classification 7-8
Türkiye vs Croatia
Classification 9-10
Germany vs Hungary
Classification 11-12
Iceland vs Latvia
Classification 13-14
Serbia vs Italy
Classification 15-16
Sweden vs Slovenia
FIBA