Group C Preview: Lithuania still the team to beat

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U18 European Championship 2017, Division C) - We look at the Bratislava-based Group C of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2017, featuring one of the tournament favorites Lithuania and three teams eager to challenge them in Finland, Greece and Slovenia.

Lithuania

Ignas Sargiunas will form Lithuania's backcourt with star playmaker Arnas Velicka

Players To Watch: There are few 17-year-old players in Europe as good as Lithuania point guard Arnas Velicka, who has already picked up All-Star Five honors at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015 and the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016. A heady playmaker with a strong frame, he will form a backcourt partnership with the also-dangerous two-guard Ignas Sargiunas, both of whom starred for Lithuania at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 last year as well, alongside Lukas Uleckas and Grantas Vasiliauskas.

Outlook: The expectations of another podium finish is very much in the air for Lithuania after claiming silver in the home FIBA U16 European Championship 2015 in Kaunas and bronze at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016 in Zaragoza. With all of the big names back for coach Gediminas Petrauskas, including the four players who already have U18 experience from last year alongside the 1998-born generation of players, the Baltic side might be the frontrunners to win gold with the other contenders dealing with significant absences.

Greece

Dimitrios Moraitis will be the number one option for Greece

Players to Watch: Dimitrios Moraitis will be the clear-cut leader on the Greek roster in Bratislava, having led the team with averages of 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2016 in Kaunas. A wise-beyond-his-years floor general who excels in pick-and-roll situations, Moraitis already had a strong showing at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 last year in Samsun, alongside fellow 1999-born player, Georgios Kalaitzakis.

Outlook: Greece finished 9th at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 in Samsun and the 1999-generation of players will be adamant on improving on this result, but that will not be a cakewalk. The players who will represent the country in the Slovak Republic this summer had a rough first international tournament at U16 level in Kaunas a couple of years ago, where they had to settle for 13th place.

Slovenia

Born to Russian parents, Maksim Gorbachov represents Slovenia internationally

Players to Watch: Helios Suns prospect Nejc Klavzar and 2000-born Olimpija Ljubljana talent Maksim Gorbachov will be among the most intriguing players to watch in Bratislava. The two guards will complement the trio of David Kralj, Nikolas Susa and Matevz Mlakar, who all took part in the FIBA U18 European Championship 2016 in Turkey last year.

Outlook: The 1999-born Slovenia side could not earn promotion at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015, Division B, but will now get a chance to play in Division A at U18 level. Despite missing one of their big names in shooting guard Miha Skedelj of Krka Novo Mesto, the Slovenes will still have plenty of talent in the backcourt, but might face more trouble when they match up against teams with dominant big men.

Finland

Miika Heinonen is expected to lead Finland in the absence of Elias Valtonen

Players to Watch: Elias Valtonen was the alpha and omega of the Finnish team at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015, but the talented forward will not be with the team in Bratislava, giving way for Miika Heinonen, who has developed into a top-level point guard with shooting skills, at the top of the food chain. Fellow guard Andre Gustavson and two 2000-born players in sharpshooting big man Mikael Jantunen and defensive stud Tomas Pihljamaki are the other exciting players to keep an eye on.

Outlook: Finland were among the pleasant surprises at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2015, placing 6th in Kaunas and qualifying for the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2016. The generation of 1998-born players also reached the Quarter-Finals in the FIBA U18 European Championship last year. Having registered victories against Denmark, Germany, Latvia and group rivals Greece and Lithuania in the preparation period, the Finns will mean business once again in Slovak Republic.

FIBA