In the grand final held at the Gargždai Sports Center, the French national team defeated the Israeli basketball players 79:66 (28:16, 16:15, 24:18, 11:17) and adorned themselves with gold medals.
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The French led from the first to the last minute of the game, and their largest lead at the end of the third quarter was 23 points (66:43).
In the fourth quarter, the Israeli basketball players managed to close the gap and reduced the difference to 10 points (58:68), but the French did not let go of the championship title.
Tea Cleante scored 19 points for the winners, while Gal Raviv traditionally stood out in the Israeli ranks with 29 points.
The Spanish basketball players won third place and bronze medals by defeating Belgium 81:59.
Poland took fifth place after a particularly dramatic battle, winning 65:64 against the Lithuanian national team. Seventh place went to Turkey, which defeated Croatia 85:80.
Comment from the Lithuanian national team coach Egidijus Ženevičius:
“We went to fight for medals and just fell a little short. I told the girls that they are champions to me because they gave their hearts, each game was fought through ‘I can’t’. Such championships give players a big boost – to keep playing and strive for the maximum.
Perhaps the loss to Israel was decisive, because in case of victory we would have had a relatively easier path to the semifinals. The team itself grew and came together during the championship. It was during it that we found our style, pattern, leaders appeared, and other important roles. The main thing for every athlete is experience, and this was a very good experience, which, once gained, needs to be moved forward.”
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Meanwhile, in Alytus, teams determined the owners of places 9–16. Hungary took 9th place by defeating Germany 60:57, and 11th place went to Latvia, which defeated Iceland 85:80.
Italy celebrated 13th position and retained its place in next year’s elite FIBA U20 A division by defeating Serbia 64:60.
Serbia will play in Division B next year, joined by Sweden and Slovenia. In the match between these teams, Sweden won 73:47.
The three teams that took the last places will be replaced next year in the U20 European Championship by the 3 best teams from Division B.
The organization of the FIBA European Women’s Basketball Championship is supported by the Klaipėda district, Klaipėda city, and Alytus city municipalities.
The championship is partially funded by the National Sports Agency and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports.
The youth championship held in Lithuania is an introduction to the 2027 European Women’s Basketball Championship to be held in our country in June.
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Final standings of the U20 European Championship
- France
- Israel
- Spain
- Belgium
- Poland
- Lithuania
- Turkey
- Croatia
- Hungary
- Germany
- Latvia
- Iceland
- Italy
- Serbia
- Sweden
- Slovenia
