Super Spain champs again; Dutch take bronze and Slovenia relegated

SOPRON (FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2018) - Spain were on-fire in Sopron as they swept aside Serbia 69-50 in the title game at the FIBA U20 Women's European Championship 2018.

Competing in their ninth-straight Final, Spain secured their third title in a row, seventh in eight years and their eighth in total. Serbia simply had no answer to a devastating display of defense in the opening 20 minutes.

 The holders were in full lockdown mode during the first-half, when they restricted their opponents to just 11 points and effectively won the game early as they turned on the style offensively after the break. Iris Mbulito was the star of the show and claimed a fantastic 21 points , 12 rebounds and 3 steals.

The Third-Place game was much closer as Laura Westerik showed out for Netherlands with 24 points and 10 rebounds to propel them to a nail-biting 65-60 win against Italy. 

It was Netherlands joint-best finish at the event - matching the bronze medal they delivered in Lanzarote at the 2015 edition.

Meanwhile, Slovenia had to endure the agony of being the last nation to drop through the Division B trap door as they were heavily beaten 86-71 by a relieved Russia. It means Slovenia will join Croatia and Slovakia in the second tier next summer. 

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