Spain and France set up Final showdown at U18 European Championship Women

CELJE (2015 U18 European Championship Women) - Spain pulled away from Italy down the stretch before Lisa Berkani's game-winner lifted France past Russia in a thrilling Semi-Final day at the U18 European Championship Women in Celje.

Spain were pushed all the way by a tenacious Italian team in the first Semi-Final, with Francesca Pan twice tying the game early in the fourth quarter. But the Spanish team held their nerve as Italy ran out of steam, with Maria Conde and Angela Salvadores making the big plays in the final minutes to lead Spain to a 66-56 victory. Conde finished with a game-high 20 points and Salvadores had 18 in the win.

France were cruising with an 11-point lead in the final five minutes, but Russia clung on and forced a dramatic finale after two big three-pointers from Olga Frolkina. French guard Lisa Berkani, who had made a variety of tough shots throughout the game, stepped up at the crucial moment to seal the win with a jumper from the free-throw line as France held on for a 62-59 victory.

Czech Republic will face hosts Slovenia in the Classification Game for 5th Place after the pair beat Belgium and Netherlands respectively. Czech Republic held Belgium at arm's length to take a 68-56 win, led by 17 points from Tereza Sípová, while Slovenia's Zala Friskovec scored 10 of her game-high 19 points in a decisive third-quarter run to give the home team a 66-55 victory over Netherlands.

There was relegation heartbreak for winless Estonia and unfortunate Portugal, who were a win away from the Quarter-Final on Wednesday but drop down to Division B after three consecutive losses. They were pipped by Hungary in a dramatic 58-57 defeat as Maianca Umabano's last drive rolled cruelly around the rim before dropping clear, while Estonia were consigned to an immediate return to Division B with a 67-47 loss to Poland, who were led by 14 points from Julia Niemojewska. Poland and Hungary will meet on Sunday, with the loser joining Estonia and Portugal in Division B for 2016.

Croatia will play Lithuania on Sunday in the Classification Game for ninth place overall. Croatia led from start-to-finish as they beat Israel 77-62 behind 27 points from Iva Slonjsak, while Lithuania thrashed Serbia 78-43, Gabija Meskonyté top-scoring with 25 points.

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

FIBA