2nd Team
PG: Lorcan Murphy (182-PG-94) of Ireland
G: Stian Mjoes (185-G-89) of Norway
F/G: Andrea Raschi (201-F/G-79) of San Marino
F: Tevin Falzon (203-F-92) of Malta
C: Cinto Gabriel (199-C-87) of Andorra
Malta claim maiden title - Jul 1, 2018
Malta have gone one step better than 2014, earning their maiden Small Countries title, with an emphatic 75-59 win over Norway in Sunday's Final.
Led by imposing MVP Samuel Deguara (223-C-91), Malta stuck with the same game plan they have used throughout the tournament; going to work in the paint. The 7ft 6in colossus finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds - five of them offensive, as the Maltese managed 19 second-chance points, the game's telling stat.
It was a disappointing end to the tournament for the Norwegians, who trailed the entire game, falling behind early and never managing to close back the gap.
Ireland rounded out the podium with a comprehensive 86-66 victory over Gibraltar. Bouncing back strongly from the disappointment of Saturday, All-Star five member Taiwo Badmus (201-F-93) began proceedings with a dunk, setting the tone as the Irish led throughout, their slick ball movement proving the difference, picking up 23 points on the fast-break. Badmus would go on to finish with a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Earlier on Sunday, hosts San Marino drew the curtain shut on a disappointing tournament with another loss, this time to Andorra, 69-56. It marked a second victory in as many days for Andorra, who were taken to victory by Guillem Colom (194-SG-91)'s 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 and 4 steals.
Courtesy of FIBA
Norway set up date with Malta in Final - Jun 30, 2018
Norway will square off against Malta in Sunday's gold medal game in San Marino, as both nations aim for their maiden title.
In Saturday's first Semi-Final, Norway were caught sleeping in the opening frame, as opponents Ireland raced out to an early 9-point lead, that would remain at five at the closing of the quarter. However, Norway struck back with a vengeance in the second quarter, going on a 17-0 scoring run to end the half.
To the credit of the Irish, they staged an unlikely comeback, going within four points with under three minutes to play. But wayward shooting down the stretch proved costly as Norway held on 83-73, behind 29 points from Harald Frey. The last time Norway played in the Final was back in 1996, but they came away with silver.
They will go up against Malta, who previously played in the Final in 2014, but suffered a similar fate to the Norwegians. The Maltese arrived at this stage of the tournament with a one-sided 102-57 win over Gibraltar.
Having upset the hosts to make the last four, Gibraltar could not muster another big performance, as they were overpowered in paint 60-26, and on the defensive boards, 43-17. Kurt Cassar (209-C-99) ended the game with 16 points and 12 rebounds, also offering up 6 assists.
Earlier in the day, in the battle for the minor positions, Andorra easily disposed off Moldova 97-43, setting up a duel with hosts San Marino for fifth spot. Hugo Schneider Bartolome paced the winners with 15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds.
Norway, Gibraltar, Ireland and Malta reach semis in San Marino - Jun 29, 2018
Group A
Moldova - Norway 78-94 Norway finished the preliminary round action with another victory. They stunned Moldova to earn the third straight win. Stian Mjoes (185-G-89) came up with 18 points to lead the winners. Moldova jumped to a 22:16 lead after ten minutes. But the Scandinavian side took over in the second half. Norway went on a 55:34 run to seal a comfortable win. Harald Frey (185-G-97) netted 14 points in the victory. Denis Melniciuc (190-G-92) answered with 34 points for Moldova.
San Marino - Gibraltar 66-74 Gibraltar upset San Marino to reach the semifinal stage. Lucas Perez (205-C-80) scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds to pace the winners. San Marino grabbed a 36:34 halftime lead. But Gibraltar went on a 24:15 run in the fourth period to snatch the victory. Miguel Ortega (188-PG-91) delivered 18 points and 7 rebounds for Gibraltar. Pietro Ugolini (200-F-00) answered with 17 points for San Marino.
Group B
Ireland - Andorra 63-56 Ireland outlasted Andorra to ensure their semifinal berth in San Marino. Taiwo Badmus (201-F-93) delivered 18 points to lead the Irish side. Ireland got to a strong start. They ensured a 34:16 halftime advantage. Andorra went on a strong comeback rally in the fourth period but came up short of win at the end. Jordan Blount (203-F-97) had 17 points in the victory. Guillem Colom (194-SG-91) answered with 22 points and 9 boards for Andorra.
Recap of Day 2 in San Marino - Jun 28, 2018
Group A
Norway - Gibraltar 95-60 Norway celebrated the second straight win in Group A. They stormed past Gibraltar for 2-0 record. Bouna Ndiaye (198-G-92, college: NW Nazarene) had 19 points to lead the effort. Norway accumulated a 53:26 halftime lead. They followed with a 27:14 run in the fourth quarter to ice the win. Harald Frey (185-G-97) delivered 13 points in the victory. Miguel Ortega (188-PG-91) tossed in 19 points for Gibraltar.
Moldova - San Marino 54-98 San Marino registered the first win at the championship. They rolled past Moldova for 1-1 record in Group A. Andrea Raschi (201-F/G-79, agency: Octagon Europe) posted 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. San Marino grabbed a 50:24 halftime lead. They went on a 26:5 run in the third period to clear off for good. Matteo Botteghi (203-C/F-95) had 16 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Victor Legosin (200-F/C-00) answered with 14 points for Moldova.
Group B
Malta - Ireland 76-65 Malta overcame Ireland to gain the second consecutive victory in San Marino. Aaron Falzon (203-F-96) stepped up with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists to lead the charge. The teams were tied at 37 heading into the locker rooms. But Malta sank 39 points in the second half to march to the victory. Kurt Cassar (209-C-99) deposited 16 points and 9 rebounds for Malta. Adrian O'Sullivan (180-G-93) replied with 15 points for Ireland.
Recap of Day 1 in San Marino - Jun 27, 2018
Group A
San Marino - Norway 48-88 Norway crushed hosting San Marino in the opener. Stian Mjoes (185-G-89) stepped up with 21 points for the visitors. Norway dominated from start to finish. They established a 37:23 halftime lead. Norway sank 51 points in the second half and cruised to the victory. Bouna Ndiaye (198-G-92, college: NW Nazarene) had 13 points for the winners. Igor Biordi (204-C/F-96) answered with 13 points and 7 rebounds for San Marino.
Gibraltar - Moldova 102-96 OT Miguel Ortega (188-PG-91) sank 33 points, issued 8 assists and grabbed 7 rebounds to carry Gibraltar to a tough overtime win over Moldova. Gibraltar found themselves trailing by 8 points at halftime. They however went on a 31:14 run in the third term to surge ahead. Moldova bounced back in the fourth period forcing overtime. Gibraltar then poured in 18 points in the extra period and got away with a valuable victory. Sam Buxton (195-F-89, college: N.Alabama) had 24 points and 14 boards for Gibraltar. Vladislav Solopa (202-PF-95) answered with 44 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists for Moldova.
Group B
Andorra - Malta 64-96 Malta thumped Andorra to get to the victorious start in San Marino. Five players scored in double digits for the winners. Tevin Falzon (203-F-92, college: Sacred Heart) delivered 22 points and 9 boards for Malta. Andorra posted a 23:15 lead ten minutes into the game. However Malta responded with a 62:25 run in the next two quarters to surge ahead for good. Aaron Falzon (203-F-96) delivered 16 points and 8 rebounds for Malta. Cinto Gabriel (199-C-87) answered with 16 points for Andorra.
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