Undefeated Azerbaijan, Monaco joined by Albania and Luxembourg in Semi-Finals

SERRAVALLE (San Marino) - Two unbeaten teams remain after group play at the FIBA U18 European Championship, Division C as Monaco and Azerbaijan both finished a perfect 4-0 heading into the Semi-Finals.

2019 silver medalists Monaco will meet Luxembourg, while 2016 gold medalists Azerbaijan will take on Albania in the Semi-Finals on Saturday.

On Thursday, Azerbaijan secured their 4-0 record in Group B after taking down Moldova 75-66. Roderick Anderson III once again led the way for Azerbaijan with 31 points, 4 rebounds and 9 steals. He has scored at least 30 points in all four games so far.

Azerbaijan's closest game came in their first game on Monday when they narrowly escaped Luxembourg 75-71. Anderson put up a whopping 39 points, 13 rebounds and 8 steals. This game turned out to be Luxembourg's only loss in Group B, as they finished in second place at 3-1.

Monaco continued their dominant play in Group A, taking down hosts San Marino 105-58 in the final game of group play. Four players scored in double figures for Monaco, as they were led by their three-headed attack of Lucas N'Gombo (26 points, 15 rebounds), Eithan Zerbib (21 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists) and Matis Moncada (16 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 9 steals).

Monaco finished group play with a +138 point differential, also picking up big wins against Albania (82-56), Malta (86-59) and Andorra (103-65).

In the second game of the day on Thursday and the battle for the second spot in Group A, Albania erased an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter and outscored Andorra 17-5 in the final frame. This sealed Albania's 48-47 comeback win to punch their spot in the Semi-Finals at 3-1, while Andorra finished group play 2-2.

Albania also picked up wins against San Marino (79-61) and Malta (90-36) on Sunday and Wednesday. Center Aleksis Nika put up two huge double-doubles in those wins, recording 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against San Marino and then 31 points, 20 rebounds and 5 steals against Malta.

Friday will be a rest day before the tournament resumes on Saturday with the 5-8 classification games that will feature Andorra v Armenia and Moldova v Malta.

The two Semi-Final games will then follow those games and take center stage.

FIBA