MVP Salvadores inspires Spain to U18 European Championship Women title

CELJE (2015 U18 European Championship Women) - Tournament MVP Angela Salvadores took over in the third quarter to lead Spain to gold over France, while Russia dominated Italy to take bronze at the U18 European Championship Women in Celje, Slovenia.

Salvadores had 11 points in a decisive 16-3 burst as Spain shattered France's unbeaten record to claim gold with a 76-60 victory in the Final. Salvadores tallied a game-high 27 points and received excellent support from Maria Conde, who had 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Russia led from start to finish to cruise to a 71-52 win over Italy in the Bronze Medal Game. Kristina Safonova and Anna Burovaya had a team-high 11 points apiece.

All four Semi-Finalists contributed to the All-Star Five, with France's unbeaten run through the first eight games earning them two nominations in guard Lisa Berkani and forward Alexia Chartereau. They were joined by MVP Salvadores and Russia's center Raisa Musina, as well as Italy's top-scorer Francesca Pan.

Hosts Slovenia took fifth place overall with a crushing 82-55 win over Czech Republic, led by 23 points from Annamaria Prezelj and 18 points and five assists from playmaker Alma Potocnik.

Belgium claimed seventh spot after beating neighbours Netherlands 58-50, with 15 points from Elise Ramette and 14 from Serena-Lynn Geldof. Croatia took ninth with a comfortable 71-55 win over Lithuania, Ivana Dojkic scoring 32 points to tie with Salvadores for tournament top-scorer honours.

Kristina Arsenic had a game-high 20 points to lead Serbia to a 73-45 victory Israel, with the win securing 11th place overall for the Serbian team. Hungary survived a tense fourth-quarter battle to beat Poland 46-41, consigning the Polish team to Division B for 2016. Virág Kiss and Nina Aho top-scored with 10 points apieice for the Hungarian team.

Poland will join Portugal and Estonia in Division B, and Portugal sealed a winless tournament for the Estonian team to take 15th place with a 60-49 victory. Maria Kostourkova had a game-high 17 points, adding eight rebounds and four steals.

Go to http://u18women.fibaeurope.com/en/default.asp for complete coverage of the 2015 U18 European Championship Women.

FIBA