ORADEA (Romania) - Hosts Romania pulled off a massive upset on the second day of FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2026 as they shocked reigning champions Serbia with a Sebastian-Petru Lapuste game-winner.
The guard finished off an outstanding performance with a lean-in high floater for a 75-73 victory over Serbia - 24 hours after Romania lost their opening game by 43 points.
Lapuste finished with an impressive 22 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists - narrowly missing out on registering the sixth triple-double in FIBA U16 EuroBasket history.
Romania were close throughout and built a 69-57 lead with 4 minutes left. Serbia responded with the next 15 points to pull ahead at 72-69. The hosts reclaimed the lead 73-72 with 42 seconds left before Dositel Nedeljkovic split two free throws with 22 seconds remaining.
On the final possession, Lapuste collected the ball, dribbled to the left baseline, got his defender in the air and then delivered the game-winner, sending the Oradea fans into a frenzy.
FIBA U16 EuroBasket triple-doubles
Player | Opponent | Edition | Statline |
|---|---|---|---|
Usman Garuba (ESP) | Lithuania | 2016 | |
Dario Saric (CRO) | Lithuania | 2010 | |
Dejan Musli (SRB) | France | 2007 | |
Ricky Rubio (ESP) | Russia | 2006 | |
Ricky Rubio (ESP) | Russia | 2006 |
FIBA