Georgia celebrate title, as Salome Svani wins MVP

ANDORRA LA VELLA (Andorra) - Georgia can celebrate becoming champions after blowing past Malta 61-37 in the Final of the FIBA U18 Women's European Championship, Division C on Sunday.

Georgia's dynamic duo of Lika Kvirkvelia (18 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals) and Salome Svani (12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) continued their strong play and led the team to their first gold medal at this event.

Natali Chutkerashvili also contributed with a double-double of her own with 12 points and 19 rebounds.

Kvirkvelia (16.8 points, 20.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals per game) and Svani (16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.0 steals per game) headlined the All-Star Five, with Svani earning tournament MVP honors.

Danika Galea once again led Malta in defeat with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks, also claiming her spot in the All-Star Five with tournament averages of 18.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.

Meanwhile, Albania claimed the bronze medal against hosts Andorra in the Third Place Game, 79-73. Albania's Brikena Mucenji (17.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 3.6 steals per game) and Andorra's Andrea Cobo (14.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.8 steals per game) were rewarded for their great tournaments, as they rounded out the All-Star Five.

Gibraltar overcame Moldova, 53-40, for their first win of the tournament in the 5-6 classification game.

Final Standings

1. Georgia
2. Malta
3. Albania
4. Andorra
5. Gibraltar
6. Moldova

FIBA