LJUBLJANA (Slovenia) - Slovenia's long wait is over as they climbed atop the podium by beating Serbia to win the FIBA U20 EuroBasket 2026 and collect their third crown in the age category and first in 22 years.
The Slovenians' last U20 EuroBasket trophy came in 2004 and they were too much for Serbia in the Final while Spain knocked off France to finish third.
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
Slovenia slay Serbia to hoist trophy for third time - first since 2004;
Serbia title drought continues with second place - last title (and medal) was in 2015;
Spain defeat France to take third place for 17th medal;
Italy use 14-2 final run stave off relegation, send Czechia to Division B.
Slovenia overcome absences to down Serbia
Slovenia shrugged off missing two key players and used the Arena Stozice home crowd to defeat Serbia 84-65 and claim the much-awaited championship in undefeated fashion.
By hoisting the trophy, Slovenia pulled into a tie for first place with three U20 EuroBasket crowns - the others coming in 2004 and 2004. Serbia, Spain, France, Greece and Italy all have three titles as well.
Slovenia came into the game missing Urban Kroflic and Lovro Faganel, the team's second and third top scorers and first and second ranked rebounders, respectively. But the hosts kept it close in the first quarter and led by as many as nine points in the second quarter - 40-31 - before going into the break up 40-32.
Slovenia pushed the gap to 16 points in the third quarter and the cushion was 63-46 after 30 minutes. The Serbs could not get closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
Vit Hrabar paced five Slovenia players in double figures with 18 points, Mark Padjen scored 14 points with 6 assists and Filip Petrovski chipped in 13 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists off the bench.
Spain battle past France for third place
Spain bounced back from their Semi-Finals loss to Serbia by battling past France 65-54 to leave Ljubljana with the bronze medal around their neck. That ended Spain's top-three drought dating back to the 2022 title.
In a battle of the two most successful countries in this competition's history, Spain grabbed their records eighth bronze medal and 17th medal in total.
The game had been tight throughout until Spain went on an 8-0 run over 2+ minutes to pull ahead 63-50 with 87 seconds left. The Spanish dominated the glass with a 51-36 advantage including 24 offensive boards to 11 which led to 21 second chance points to 6 for France.
Max Gaspa and Andres Amon both led Spain with 11 points and Raul Villar added 6 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. At the other end, Tom Audry had 10 points to lead France.
Top Performers
Lithuania grabbed ninth place as they beat Israel 95-79 thanks to a big 30-18 third quarter. Gabrielius Jokubauskas was the biggest weapon for the Lithuanians with 31 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.
Another player to play a major role in Lithuania's 95-79 win over Israel was Mantas Juzenas. The small forward snatched 20 boards and also contributed 6 points, 6 assists and 1 steal.
Greece will be going home with a fifth-place finish after beating Türkiye 73-56 in the Classification 5-6. That matched the Greeks' result from last summer after previously taking third place in 2023 and 2024. Giannos Xantopoulos led the way for Hellas with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks.
Italy were playing for their Division A lives and the reigning champions delivered when it mattered most, beating Czechia 92-80 to finish 13th and avoid relegation. Matteo Baiocchi collected 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the big victory.
Filip Majdak helped his team with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block as Croatia finished the tournament on a high note by beating Germany 91-87 in Classification 7-8.
Results of the Day
Final
Slovenia 84-65 Serbia
Third Place Game
France 54-65 Spain
Classification 5-6
Türkiye 56-73 Greece
Classification 7-8
Croatia 91-87 Germany
Classification 9-10
Lithuania 95-79 Israel
Classification 11-12
Poland 97-76 Latvia
Classification 13-14
Czechia 80-92 Italy
Classification 15-16
Belgium 86-77 Romania
FIBA