Moldova and Cyprus win their groups, six teams fight for two Semi-Final spots

NICOSIA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2016 Division C) - Malta and Azerbaijan will fight for the Semi-Finals in Group A, while four teams still have a shot of reaching second place in Group B.

Malta won yet another thriller in Cyprus. Nicholas Formosa was the hero again, hitting the crucial basket to make it a four-point game with a minute remaining. Pietro Ugolini managed to get San Marino back to 58-57, but Malta held their nerve and won the match-up.

Formosa led the winning team with 19 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and six steals. Ugolini was amazing for San Marino, scoring 33 of their 57 points, while shooting 11-of-21 from the field, grabbing 13 rebounds and blocking four shots, to go with his four steals and three assists.

Back on Day 2, Malta had defeated Wales 65-63 on a Formosa game-winning shot. More magic will be needed on the final group game day, when Malta play Azerbaijan. Both teams are tied at 2-1, behind group winners Cyprus (4-0), who outplayed Wales.

Cyprus entered the final period on an eight-point advantage, but Wales clawed their way back within a single point in the final minute and even had a couple of possessions to take the lead. That did not happen however, with Pavlos Stylianou and Rovertos Alexandrou finishing off the game for a 60-56 Cyprus win.

Rafail Papaioannou collected 14 points and 11 rebounds for the winners, who struggled from beyond the arc (3-of-26). Jamie Michael Gray scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked six shots for Wales, who could have easily been at 2-1. Instead, they are at 0-3 and without a chance of reaching the Semi-Finals.

Group B paints a different picture. Moldova (4-0) are safe at the top of the group, while Andorra, Albania, Armenia and Gibraltar are all tied at 1-2. Albania's first win of the Championship came at the expense of Gibraltar, Ergys Muhametaj leading the charge in a 74-60 triumph. Vadim Raducan had a huge double-double of 19 points and 25 rebounds in Moldova's 68-54 victory against Andorra.

Moldova get a day off on the final day of group play. Armenia play Gibraltar, and Albania go up against Andorra in the fight for the second Semi-Final spot from Group B.

FIBA