Spain beat France in thriller to capture Division A crown

FINAL

Spain - France 82-81
Spain are 2025 U18 European champions. They outlasted France in a thrilling Final game in Belgrade tonight. les Bleus were seemingly en route to the win as they grabbed a 79-71 lead with 41 seconds left in regulation. But Raul Villar (191-G-2007) and Guillermo Del Pino (193-PG-2007) hit quick five points to narrow the deficit. Guillermo Del Pino then followed with six points in a row for Spain to seal the title for Spain. He finished with 23 points for the winners. Andy Huelves (190-SG-2007) contributed 16 points. Jonas Boulefaa (205-SF-2007, agency: Octagon Europe) answered with 19 points, while Hugo Moukouri (205-SF-2008) netted 17 points for France.

3-4 Place

Italy - Latvia 86-68
Italy earned Bronze medals in Serbia. They fired past Latvia in the consolation final tonight. Italy registered a 47-38 halftime advantage. The Azzurri ignited a 23-13 rally in the fourth frame to seal the win. Achille Lonati (196-G-2007) accounted for 27 points in the victory. Adrians Andzevs (188-G-2007) netted 13 points for Latvia.

5-6 Place

Serbia - Slovenia 74-69
Serbia wrapped up their home tournament on a winning note. They held off Slovenia to earn the fifth place. Andrej Lucic (187-G-2007) stepped up with 20 points to lead the winners. Slovenia led by 7 points ten minutes into the game. But Serbia answered with a 40-24 run in the next two periods to gain a decisive lead. Samed Grosic (201-F-2007) had 18 points for Slovenia.

7-8 Place

Turkey - Germany 64-73
Germany outscored Turkey to earn the 7th place at the tournament. Turkey led by a single point ten minutes into the game. But Germany followed with a 24-11 rally in the second period to ensure a decisive advantage. Mathieu Grujicic stepped up with 36 points and 11 rebounds for Germany. Yucel Basaran answered with 16 points for Turkey.

9-10 Place

Israel - Lithuania 65-106
Lithuania stormed past Israel to clinch the 9th place. Lithuania dominated from start to finish. They established a 53-34 halftime lead and cruised to the win in the second half. Dominykas Daubaris (206-F-2007) posted 24 points, while Majus Bulanovas (193-G-2007) added 17 points for Lithuania. Gabriel Artmenko (202-F-2007) answered with 12 points for Israel.

11-12 Place

Austria - Greece 78-108
Greece breezed past Austria in their final game in Belgrade. Panagiotis Lefas (190-G-2007) scored 21 points as the Hellenes occupied the 11th spot. Greece went on a 34-17 run in the third term to clear off. Konstantin Sauer (191-F-2007) posted 16 points for Austria.

13-14 Place

North Macedonia - Bulgaria 87-90
Bulgaria nipped North Macedonia to secure Division A place for another season. North Macedonia eked out a 25-22 lead after ten minutes. But Bulgaria responded with a 22-16 rally in the second term to surge ahead. They sank 46 points in the second half to secure a vital win at the end. Kaloyan Balkandzhiev (2007) notched 31 points for Bulgaria. Darjan Dimovski (198-F-2007) replied with 29 points for North Macedonia.

15-16 Place

Belgium - Sweden 85-78
Belgium overcame Sweden to conquer the 15th place. Sweden went on a 23-11 run in the second term to spur ahead. But Belgium replied with a 55-point effort in the second half to seal the win. Tim Waerniers (203-F-2008) and Vince T'Joncke accounted for 18 points each for Belgium. Lukas Novakovic (193-G-2008) answered with 17 points for Sweden.