Spain reach FIBA U19 World Championship, Latvia stay in Division A

SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) – Spain snatched the final berth in the FIBA U19 World Championship 2017 by taking fifth place at the FIBA U18 European Championship while Latvia secured the final survival spot in Division A in the relegation fight on the final day in Samsun. 

Spain joined the four semi-finalists - France, Germany, Italy and Lithuania - in booking their tickets to Cairo for the U19 spectacle by knocking off Bosnia and Herzegovina 77-65 thanks to 27 points from Ignacio Rosa. Sergi Martinez added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the winners.

Also celebrating on the final day of action in Samsun were Latvia after they defeated Croatia 90-76 to win the Classification 13-14 game, meaning they will stay in Division A next season. Roberts Blumbergs collected 23 points and 13 rebounds in the win. 

Croatia were relegated to Division B and joined Sweden and Israel in going down. 

Israel finally picked up their first win of the tournament by beating Sweden in the game for 15th place while Russia beat Finland for 7th place, Greece downed Serbia to take 9th place and Slovenia outlasted Turkey for 11th place. 

The title went to France, who knocked off Lithuania 75-68 in a thriller with Frank Ntilikina winning MVP honours after scoring 31 points. 

The third spot on the podium went to Italy, who beat Germany 74-68 thanks to 35 points combined from Alessandro Lever and Davide Moretti.

Re-live all the action on the FIBA U18 European Championship live feed. 

Final

Lithuania 68-75 France

Third-Place Game

Germany 68-74 Italy

Classification 5-6

Spain 77-65 Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Classification 7-8

Russia 82-67 Finland 

Classification 9-10

Greece 74-67 Serbia 

Classification 11-12

Slovenia 71-63 Turkey

Classification 13-14

Latvia 90-76 Croatia

Classification  15-16

Sweden 66-90 Israel

FIBA