SOFIA (FIBA U16 European Championship Division B 2016) - Slovenia and Russia survived fantastic finishes in their Quarter-Finals, while Israel and Ukraine cruised to their spots in the Semi-Finals.

Jernej Andolsek Heine was the game hero for Slovenia. His two-pointer won them the match-up with Belgium 83-81 after overtime, in a game in which no team led by more than six points. Rok Radovic also deserved high praise, as he got Slovenia into overtime by hitting a big basket late in fourth quarter.

Heine finished with eight points and seven assists, while Radovic collected 19 points. Nik Dragan played just over 42 minutes and had a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double, and three more players finished in double digits for Slovenia.

Niels De Ridder's huge game went to waste for Belgium. He had 26 points on 52% shooting from the floor, and also grabbed 13 rebounds. Noel Coleman had 22 points, Sacha De Vreught scored 12 points and dished out eight assists, and Vrenz Bleijenbergh finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, including a big block at the end of the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Slovenia will now take on Israel in the Semi-Finals, after the Israelis had beaten Belarus 84-69. It was  a one-point game heading into the final ten minutes, but Israel switched gears in a 29-15 fourth quarter to set up a date with Slovenia, the only other undefeated team of the championship.

Russia and Ukraine will fight for the remaining place in the Final. The Russians had led more than 35 minutes against England, but had to wait for the final seconds to clinch their 62-61 victory against the Group B runners-up.

Konstantin Shevchuk's free throw gave Russia a 62-59 lead ahead of England's last possession, and Mate Okros found a two-pointer to get England back within one. But time ran out, Russia held on and need just one more win to get back to Division A.

Shevchuk was a hero, even though he failed to hit any of his 11 field goals. He had two points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Alexander Shashkov had a big double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Jacob Round had 21 points for England.

Russia will now face Ukraine, who had no trouble with Czech Republic. Ukraine overturned an early seven-point deficit into a 30-point triumph in a game they won 80-50. All 24 players played in this Quarter-Final, none better than Vitalii Shorstkyi, author of 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Shorstkyi also had nine rebounds and a couple of blocks.

FIBA