Renaldas Seibutis scored a couple of free throws with the time expired, breaking the tie at 63 points, and giving Lithuania the 2005 U-21 title over Greece.
Before this, Lithuania and Greece played a defensively dominated game, with poor shooting percentages due to very strong and physical defenses. No team had a lead larger than six points and both teams failde to score in the 98 seconds prior the end of the game. Seibutis, Lithuanian best player won the tournament MVP award and was part of the ideal team, alongoside forward Yotam Halperin (Israel), Levon Kendall (Canada) and Greeks Konstantinos Vasileiadis and Loukas Mavrokefalidis.
Seibutis and Brabauskas led Lithuania with 14 points apiece and Arturas Jomantas added 12 points and 10 boardsPanagiotis Vasiloupoulos led Greece with 22 points and Konstantinos Vasileiadis added 17 and Loukas Mavrokefalidis 13.
In the third place match, Canda outscored Australia 79-74, for his second surprising game of the tournament (before they beat USA in quarterfinals) Levon kendall led Canada with 15 points, Vladimir Kuljanin added 12 and Andre Rautins added 11. Australia was led by Brad Newley with 17 points And Aleksandar Maric added 16, but Canada controlled the tempo of the game from the tip off to the end.
USA beat Argentina easily in the fifth place match 111-85, Argentina turned the ball over a lot again and USA hit 11 three pointer, Jonathan Reddick led USA's five players with 22 points (six three pointers) while Leonardo Mainoldi led Argentina with 21 points and seven boards.
In the first game of the day, Puerto Rico finished seventh after beating Slovenia 86-77 with a balanced attack where five players socred in double digit led by Jesus Verdejo (19) and Jose Barea (18), Mensud Julevic led Sloveinia with 19 points.

Final: Lithuania - Greece 65-63 (Babrauskas 14, Seibutis 14, Jomantas 12+10r, Maciulis 11, Kavaliauskas 9+5r, Silinskis 3+6r, Jankunas 2+8r, Prekevicius 0, Anisimov 0, Alijevas 0 - Vasilopoulos 22+6r, Vasileiadis 17, Mavrokefalidis 13+6r, Apostolidis 4, Xanthopoulos 3+5a, Zefkilis 2+7r, Vougioukas 2, Morfis 0, Sourlis 0, Angelopoulos 0)
Lithuania is the World Youth Basketball Championship. They beated the Greek team 65-63. The hero of the game was Renaldas Seibutis, who made the two free throw when the match was finished. Referees were in doubt if the clock was over or it was not. Finally, Seibutis earn the MVP Award.
It was a very tough match, with low field goal porcentajes. Each rebound was battled as the last one. Defence was predominant thru the game. There were to many turnovers and fouls.
Greece did a pretty good zone defence, but they could not find his first offensive option, Konstantinos Vasileiadis until the middle of the third quarter, when he sank his first two points. Brabauskas and Maciulius were the key to keep the difference for Lithuania. Vasileiadis hit two three pointers in a row and it was important to Greece to take two points advantage. But Seibutis was unstoppable and could make the difference.
With 1.23 minutes remaining, Vasileios Xanthopoulos made two points and had an extra free throw, which could sank. After that Seibutis finished the game with two free throws.
HC Lithuania: Ramunas Butautas 'I would like to thank and congratulate Greece and its coach for their great job. It was a tough game, based in the defensive aspect. We had troubles with the shooters. The offensive was difficult for us because of the very hard Greek's defence. It was a tied game. We are very happy.'
HC Greece: Manos Manouselis 'I congratulate Lithuania for this Championship. Really, they were the best team. I will never forget, in my entire life, what I have lived with my players along these days. A Greeks philosopher said 'succeed is not just winning, also do the best effort'. Our team will sleep quiet tonight.'

3rd place: Canada - Australia 79-74 (Kendall 15+9r, Kuljanin 12+10r, Rautins 11, Gallimore 10+7r - Newley 17, Maric 16+9r, Markovic 10)
Australia felt the great blow of not being in the finals and Canada took advantage of this, using its fast and powerful game style, and could win, 79 to 74. This way, the North American team won the Bronze Medal in the U21 World Championship.
HC Canada Dave Crook: 'Obviously, it was a great game because we won. Australia has a spectacular performance in this tournament. Luckily, today we could defeat them. We did not think that we would achieve this stage after been defeated by teams like Argentina. But on these days we worked in the offensive and the effectiveness in the perimeter. I always believe in my players; they have good skills and quality.'

5th place: USA - Argentina 111-85 (Redick 22, J.Gray 16, R.Gray 15+8r, Frazekas 15+7r, Withers 14 - Mainoldi 21+7r, Sandes 15+6r, Rivero 10+5r, Vay 10)
An overwhelming game, full of luxury, dunks and spectaculars actions, with a high effectiveness in three points shots, permitted United States to beat Argentina, 111 to 85, and to obtain the 5th position in the U21 World Championship.
HC USA Phil Martelli: 'After the disappointment of not being in the finals, we went to the court thinking in recovering our game style. We did the right thing in both sides of the court. In the second half, we wanted to finish quickly, because we had made an important difference. As a balance in this tournament, I must say that 11 of 12 players have chances to be included in the NBA. We are leaving this Championship very disappointed because we did our best in the court to win the gold medal.'

7th place: Puerto Rico - Slovenia 86-77 (Verdejo 19, Barea 18+8r+9a, Galindo 14+6r, Lopez 11+7r - Julevic 19, Lorbek 14, Rizvic 14, Fon 12+6r)
Puerto Rico changed its image and concluded his participation in the U21 Championship ranking 7th. Even when Zagorac did not play, Slovenians made a little difference, but at the end Puerto Rico team showed more victory's appetite, and with Verdejo's and Lopez's contributions closed the game without troubles.
HC Puerto Rico Carlos Calcano: 'In this tournament we did not achieve the results that we had planned at the beginning. But the last game was good and that motivated us. We lost against teams that now are in the finals. We did our best to represent our country. The players put a lot of energy to reach the 7th position. Sometimes the nerves played against ourselves, but today we played more relax. I thank Mar del Plata and his people; they encouraged us all the time.'

Lithuania did not have bigger problems in the semifinal game against undefeated (so far) Australia, beating them by 23 points. Lithuania show very effective team game with 4 players scoring double figures, while Paulius Jankunas (205-F-84, agency: Interperformances) had impressive double-double (15 points and 15 rebounds). In the other semifinal game Greece managed to get victory over Canada 74-61, stopping hero of the game against USA - Levon Kendall (210-F-84), who had just 8 points.
In other games USA outscored Puerto Rico by 20 points, host Argentina gave no chance to Slovenia with comfortable 70-43 victory, and Nigeria upset Israel 110-104 in 9th place game.

Semifinals:
Greece - Canada 74-61 (Vasileiadis 18, Mavrokefalidis 17+10r, Vasilopoulos 15+6r - Rautins 14, Francis 12, Kendall 8+7r)
A strong defensive work, a great ball handling in offensives and a winner spirit were the keys in another spectacular Greek triumph. Greece beat Canada 74 to 61 and became the first U21 Championship finalist.
HC Greece: Manos Manouselis 'I think it was a game against ourselves, not because Canada would be a great rival, though we wanted to challenge our destiny. In the past we reached different semi finals and we lost all of them. So the way we would think this game it was a huge psychological problem. With regard to this particular match it was very competitive. Both of us played a good defence. Our main strengthen were rebounds; that gave us more chances to win. About the finals I do not have preferences. If the others teams reach this stage is because they are good.'
Lithuania - Australia 96-73 (Maciulis 19, Seibutis 17+5r, Jankunas 15+15r, Prekevicius 14 - Carter 19, Markovic 14, Newley 11)
Lithuania ratified his power and versatility with an excellent victory against Australia, 96 to 73. Consequently, this team classified to the U21 Championship finals. Tomorrow, at 9.50 PM, Lithuania will face Greece. Australia will try to rank 3th in a match against Canada.
HC Lituania: Ramunas Butautas 'We know Australia very well, because we played against them a lot of times. They had strong players and good three points shooters. So, our mission in this match was slowed down the rhythm; not played fast as they wanted. Today, we had a great defence, but also an intelligent offensive. Now I want to celebrate this huge step; we will have time to think about tomorrow. I know we are prepared and we will win this tournament.'
5-8th places:
USA - Puerto Rico 99-79 (Ray 17+8r, J.Gray 16, Fazekas 9+9r - Barea 23+6r+6a, Vassalo 13+7r, Ramos 12+13r)
United States beat Puerto Rico 99 to 79 and continue in the fight to rank 5th in the Championship. Although Puerto Rico tried to react in the third quarter using its individual stars, it was more important the American team's production.
HC USA Phil Martelli 'The human nature is hard. It was difficult to go out and play after yesterday's defeat. In the second quarter we could make an important difference and then we could maintain it. With regard to having or not stars on the team, it is something positive, but also I think that we have played as a team along this tournament.'
Argentina - Slovenia 70-43 (Mainoldi 17, Treise 17, Sandes 11+12r+5a, Schattmann 11 - Lorbek 13, Zagorc 11+5r, Rizvic 8)
Argentina obtained a clear victory against Slovenia, 70 to 43, in the last game of the day. Tomorrow, Argentina will fight for achieve the 5th position in the final rank and will face United States team. The control in the rebounds, the aggressive offensive and the high effectiveness in three points shots (50%) were the winner's more effective tools. Argentina started the game reaching a difference of 13 points in seven minutes (19 to 6).
HC Argentina: Gonzalo Garcia 'Our defence opened the game for us and Slovenia could not damage our game style. Over that base we ran and had more options to choose the right offensives. Really, our defence was the key in this victory. During this tournament we did not feel a pressure for being locals, and I do not think that referees have done things in our favour.'
9th place: Nigeria - Israel 110-104 (Usman 34+6r+9a, Gumut 17, Echefu 16+5r - Halperin 34, Eliyahu 24+13r+8a, Nir 10)
In a very tied game, Nigeria got the 9th position in the tournament after beating Israel 110-104 in overtime (they tied in 93 in regular time). In the OT, Abubakar Usman came out to an outstanding performance (he scored 9 of his 34 points in the OT), so it was decisive to earn the win.
HC Nigeria: Sanni Ahmed 'The players followed very well the instructions that we had planned before the match. Israel is a very good team in the fast break points, so we wanted to slow the game's rhythm and to defend the penetrations in a tough way. Besides, we could make a lot of points from the paint and the free throws line.'

This is another step in a chain of USA 'accidents' in basketball World as this time is was underestimated Canada, which stopped over-confident USA. It was easy to see that all other teams were cheering for Canadians and the coutry, whose citizen invented basketball, won the game edging Americans 93-90. Another upset was host Argentina losing the game to Lithuania. But Lithuania has a long tradition of sending very skilled group of youngsters and many consider this result as no surprise at all. Host team was a little bit overwhelmed with big preassure. Australia and Greece will complete semifinals as they beat Slovenia (89-80) and Puerto Rico (88-63) consecutively.
Israel gave no chance to China in the classifications.
Quarterfinals:
Lithuania - Argentina 76-63 (Babrauskas 15+5r, Seibutis 15, Jankunas 14+6r, Jomantas 12 - Mainoldi 26+7r, Sandes 10+9r, Weigand 7)
Lithuania became the only team of venue Mar del Plata that has reached the U21 Championship semi finals. This team has beaten Argentina 76 to 63, in the last game of the day.
HC LTU Ramunas Butautas: 'It was a great battle on the court and a great game for Argentina. I think that this championship's system is wrong because good teams, for example Lithuania and Argentina, face each other in quarter finals and obligatorily one must be out of the tournament. Argentinean team has brilliant players, and I am sure that they will be stars in the future. Just in the final quarter we could break Argentinean defence, and theirs fouls and turnovers helped us to reach the victory.'
Australia - Slovenia 89-80, OT (Maric 21+8r, Newley 14+6r, Markovic 14 - Zagorac 25+9r, Lorbek 20, Zagorc 19)
In an extremely tied end, Australia beat Slovenia 89 to 80, in over time (the game was tied in 69), and classified for the semi ' finals.
HC AUS Guy Molloy: 'We had to think and develop an intense game along the forty minutes, actually forty five minutes, to be able to win. One of ours strengthens was the physical preparation and power. The key in this match was respecting our game style. Regarding the following games I do not want to think about it; I want to enjoy this victory with my players.'
Greece - Puerto Rico 88-63 (Vasileiadis 27+6r, Mavrokefalidis 18+8r, Vasilopoulos 13+6r - Barea 17, Verdejo 15, Galindo 12)
Another terrific collective performance, based in the attitude and defensive coordination, let Greece to easily beat Puerto Rico, 88 to 63, and to qualify to the semi finals of the U21Championship. Tomorrow, Greece will face Canada.
HC GRE Manos Manouselis: 'We did a great defence. At Cordoba we won three games because of our work in the defence aspect. We showed an aggressive game style. Porto Rican has two amazing players, Ramos and Barea. We were focus on them, we put pressured on them and we had success in doing that. Besides, we made good shots and assistances. I would like to congratulate my players. We have already known Canada and I think it will be a great match.'
USA - Canada 90-93, OT (Ray 16, Redick 14, T.Gray 13. J.Gray 13, Rondo 12, Gay 10+10r - Kendall 40 (!!!) +12r, Kuljanin 12+6r, Doornekamp 12+9r, Kou 10)
With one of the most spectaculars individual performance in all the championship, that one made by the blond forward Levon Kendall (210-F-84) (40 points, 12 rebounds, a three point made and a decisive steal), Canada gave the tournament's surprise defeating United Stated 93 to 90, in over time (the game was tied in 82 points). Extremely tough game where despite role of underdogs, Canadians took control from the first minutes. USA team stormed back in 3rd quarter, but Canada managed to tie the game in regular time and get 3-points victory in the final seconds of overtime. The real hero of the game was Levon Kendall (210-F-84), who scored amazing 40 points and grabbed 12 rebounds that evening. It's worth to mention that Kendall spent most of last season on a bench in one of USA colleges (Pittsburgh), while tonight the selection of American stars from the same colleges could only congratulate and wonder what was wrong...
HC Can Dave Crook: 'We know Canada as a rival; to win you have to play perfectly all the game, the forty minutes. We were closed to do that. About the next games, we know Greece very well, is a tough team. We have not played against Porto Rican until now, but I think that is a great rival.'
HC USA Phil Martelli: 'Canada's performance was outstanding. Kendall made forty points, but as a team they played very well. The defence was exceptional; they took 16 offensive rebounds. About United States I must say that since the Olympics we were not able to win to FIBA's teams. Especially in this game, our mistake was that we made fewer points than they.'

9-11th Places Classification:
Israel - China 95-74 (Halperin 24, Eliyahu 21+5r, Limonad 16+10r+5a - Meng 22, Sun 22, Chen 10)
Israel gained a comfortable victory against China 95 to 4 in the ninth position qualy. China team did not win any game in all the championship and left the tournament, ranking eleventh.
HC ISR Arik Shibek: 'We respect China team because of theirs games here, at Mar del Plata, and his score against Slovenia. We took this match very seriously, felling very disappointed because of our failures at Cordoba. It is not easy for a coach to prepare mentally the team, especially when we lost four games. But these players came here to win.'