Slovenia crowned Division B champions and gain promotion to top tier

SOFIA (BULGARIA) - Slovenia completed a 59-44 shut down of Portugal to claim the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, Division B title and celebrate wrapping up promotion to Division A. 

Their suffocating defense restricted their opponents to just 16 points in he first-half and set them on the path to a convincing victory. Slovenia were also ruthless in punishing turnovers and outscored Portugal 14-1 in fast break points. Zala Srot was a difference-maker with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while Ajsa Sivka added 13 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Serbia finished in Third Place after a nice team effort saw them beat Slovakia

Slovakia struggled to impose themselves in the Third-Place Game as they went down 62-50 to Serbia, who's team defense and nice double-doubles from Ana Milanovic and Bojana Talijan proved decisive. The former with 10 points and 14 rebounds, the latter with 13 points and 10 boards.

Croatia powered their way past Netherlands 82-49 for a top-five finish as Dorja Iva Zaja impressed yet again with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 4 steals.

Romania squeezed out hosts Bulgaria for seventh place with a 72-65 success off the back of 22 points from Beata Bara Nemeth, while Denitsa Manolova had a fine 23 points and 16 boards in defeat. Ireland edged past Luxembourg 70-66 to take 9th, fueled by 15 points and 12 rebounds from Lucy Coogan. Luxembourg standout Faith Ehe Etute was again phenomenal with 16 points. 19 rebounds and 8 assists.

There was a spectacular end for Great Britain as they swiped 11th place out of the hands of Iceland 71-69 with an astonishing last few seconds for Fatmata Janneh as she made a triple from way deep, prior to grabbing the steal and layup on the buzzer.

Estonia secured 13th by sliding past Austria 78-64 behind an excellent 17 points, 9 boards and 6 assists from Keandra Koorits. Ukraine rolled past Denmark 70-38 to take 15th place as Daria Biriuk and Kateryna Tkachenko shared 30 points. Norway avoided last spot by beating North Macedonia 78-49 as Aurora Sorbye top-scored with 15 points.

Final Standings

1. Slovenia
2. Portugal
3. Serbia
4. Slovakia
5. Croatia
6. Netherlands
7. Romania
8. Bulgaria
9. Ireland
10. Luxembourg
11. Great Britain
12. Iceland
13. Estonia
14. Austria
15. Ukraine
16. Denmark
17. Norway
18. North Macedonia

FIBA