Close wins for Malta and Cyprus, big individual performances lead Moldova and Gibraltar

NICOSIA (FIBA U16 European Championship 2016 Division C) - Two nail-biting games saw Malta and Cyprus claim important wins on Day 2. Malta outlasted Wales, while Cyprus defeated Azerbaijan.

Nicholas Formosa was the game hero for Malta in a 65-63 win over Wales in Group A. Formosa scored 29 points, including the winning basket with one second remaining, and rounded off his stellar performance with 16 rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Nathan Xuereb added 14 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals for the winning team.

Wales will be heartbroken, particularly because, despite the loss, three of their players recorded double-doubles. Jamie Michael Gray finished with 16 points and 11 boards, Cai Gibson Thomas scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Harrison Riseborough collected 11 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

Also in Group A, Yiannis Achilleos delivered when it mattered most for Cyprus. His free-throw with 17 seconds left won the game for the hosts, as Polys Iliadis stole the ball on the final Azerbaijani possession in a 63-62 win for Cyprus. Iliadis led the way with 22 points, six rebounds and four steals. Achilleos had missed four of his five free throws prior to his game-winning score, but he still managed to contribute six points and 13 rebounds. Papuna Kirtadze and Saadettin Donat combined for 26 points for Azerbaijan.

In Group B, Gibraltar enjoyed a monster performance by Alejandro Garcia. He scored 30 points, to go with his eight rebounds and five steals in a 66-58 win over Andorra. Vadim Raducan was even more impressive in a 75-51 Moldova win over Armenia. Raducan was unstoppable, scoring 33 points, grabbing 22 rebounds and blocking four Armenian shots.

FIBA