KAUNAS (FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship 2018) - Italy took their first-ever title at this level after a dramatic final, while Spain beat Turkey for bronze and Croatia lost heavily to Belgium to drop to Division B.

Italy held a 22-point lead late in the third quarter and looked to be coasting home after a dominant performance. But Czech Republic went on an 18-0 run and eventually cut the lead to three points behind a barrage of three-pointers.

Natali drives to extend the lead for @Italbasket 🇮🇹! TUNE IN NOW ⏬:

📺 https://t.co/5bNhRfGNcl pic.twitter.com/xTlMX4QKcf

— FIBA (@FIBA) 25. srpna 2018

But they could not get any closer, with Meriem Nasraoui scoring three huge buckets down the stretch to allay their nerves, ending with a game-high 15 points. Tournament MVP Caterina Gilli had 9 points, 7 boards, 3 assists and 3 steals, and Ilaria Panzera added a double-double in a fantastic all-round performance of 11 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals, as Italy held on 60-52,

Will team work make the dream work for @Italbasket 🇮🇹 at Women's #FIBAU16Europe? Check it out:

📺 https://t.co/5bNhRfGNcl pic.twitter.com/GqR6CYiZLd

— FIBA (@FIBA) 25. srpna 2018

Spain dominated Turkey in the Third-Place Game to take the bronze medal and deny Turkey a first-ever medal at this level. Turkey missed star forward Melek Uzunoglu, who went down injured early in the Semi-Final, and despite the best efforts of Sude Yilmaz, who was named to the tournament All-Star Five, the Turkish team were overwhelmed by the brilliant Spanish defense in the fourth quarter as Spain pulled away for a 64-47 victory.

🔊🔊🔊 #FIBAU16Europe @baloncestofeb 🇪🇸

📝 https://t.co/8tosTl1JXh pic.twitter.com/xEINC4f39x

— FIBA (@FIBA) 25. srpna 2018

 France comfortably beat Russia for 5th place, and Hungary claimed 7th after defeating Poland. Latvia took down Germany in a thriller for 9th place, and hosts Lithuania scored a last-day victory with Simona Visockaite’s late free throw beating Denmark.

Belgium dominated Croatia to secure their Division A status for 2019. Serbia repeated their opening-day victory over Netherlands to leave the latter winless for the tournament – both will join Croatia in Division B in 2019.

FIBA