Spain fire past Turkey, defend title in Izmir

FINAL

Turkey - Spain 61-68
Spain defended their U18 European Championship title. They beat Turkey in Izmir to retain the crown. Rafa Villar (189-G-2004, agency: BIG) scored 20 points to pace the champions. Spain posted a 22-14 lead ten minutes into the game. They went on a 15-8 run in the third term to open a comfortable 12-point advantage. Turkey sank 22 points in the fourth quarter but could not avoid the loss. Izan Almansa (200-C-2005) tallied 14 points and 15 boards for the winners. Ozgur Cengiz (177-G-2005) replied with 12 points for Turkey.

3-4 Place

Slovenia - Serbia 67-70
Serbia beat Slovenia to step onto the pedestal. Djordje Curcic (194-G-2005) dropped 21 points as the winners occupied the third position. Slovenia enjoyed a 34-32 halftime lead. But Serbia held their opponents to just 13 points in the fourth frame to snatch the win. Lazar Djokovic (207-F-2004) had 15 points for the winning side. Alen Zulic (192-SG-2004) replied with 16 points for Slovenia.

5-6 Place

France - Italy 66-56
France held off Italy to clinch the fifth overall position. les Bleues registered a 30-26 halftime lead. They went on a 16-9 run in the third term to take a decisive advantage and raced to the win. Kymany Houinsou (196-G-2004) accounted for 20 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, while Zacharie Perrin (207-C-2004) added 14 points and 18 rebounds for the winners. Matteo Visintin (189-G-2004) answered with 15 points for Italy.

7-8 Place

Lithuania - Israel 89-64
Lithuania eased past Israel in the battle for the 7th position. The Baltic side posted a 50-38 halftime lead. They held Israel to just 26 points in the second half to rally to the victory. Paulius Murauskas (203-F-2004) notched 32 points, while Motiejus Krivas (213-C-2004) added 17 points and 15 rebounds for Lithuania. Israel answered with 20 points from Noam Yaacov (186-PG-2004).

9-10 Place

Czech Republic - Poland 39-76
Poland thumped Czech Republic to finish 9th in Izmir. Maksymilian Wilczek (197-G/F-2004) came up with 17 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side. Poland enjoyed a 20-9 lead after ten minutes. They ignited a furious 47-15 run in the second half to coast to the win. Simon Svoboda (194-F-2004) had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Czech Republic.