Azerbaijan overcome Moldova, Cyprus dismantle Gibraltar to reach Final

NICOSIA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2016 Division C) - If Cyprus and Azerbaijan previous clash are anything to by, the Championship is set for a blockbuster Final.

Cyprus had no trouble in a 70-36 Semi-Final win over Gibraltar to extend their winning streak to five games. Michalis Michael spread the minutes across ten of his players, with each playing at least 13 minutes, and Demetris-Neoptolemos Iasonides led all scorers with 17 points in 22 minutes.

Rovertos Alexandrou had 15 points in 20 minutes, as well as blocking three shots. Viktor Christofidis finished with 11 points and seven steals for the hosts, who had 24 offensive rebounds and forced Gibraltar into 42 turnovers. Alejandro Garcia's 14 points and 17 rebounds were not enough to see them through to the Final.

Gibraltar will play Moldova in the Third-Place Game on Sunday, as Moldova suffered their first defeat of the Championship at the worst possible time.

Moldova were within 5 points with seven minutes left in the game, but Azerbaijan ran away with a game-winning 13-2 run to make it 58-42 with 3:30 remaining. Azerbaijan won the game 60-44 to book a second date with Cyprus in the Final.

Papuna Kirtadze did it all for the winners. He finished with 11 points, 7 assists, 7 steals and 5 rebounds, and had a lot of help in Alex Akhundov with his double-double effort of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Vadim Raducan was once again brilliant, but even with his 14-point, 25-rebound double-double Moldova will have to settle for a fight for the bronze medal.

Azerbaijan will take their Day 2 loss as an inspiration for the Final. Cyprus won that game 63-62 on a late Yiannis Achilleos free-throw, their second match-up will bring even more weight with the gold medals awaiting the winners.

Malta defeated Armenia 87-63 and will play Andorra in the 5th place game on Sunday. Andorra beat San Marino 67-50.

FIBA