Germany clinch Division B title over Slovak Republic, Croatia celebrate bronze and promotion

EILAT (FIBA U20 Women’s Championship 2017, Division B) - Germany lifted the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship 2017, Division B trophy in Eilat, defeating Slovak Republic in the Final, with Croatia snatched the last remaining ticket to Division A after winning the bronze-medal game.

Having been outmatched by the Slovak Republic in their head-to-head clash in Group A, Germany came to the gold-medal game better prepared and celebrated a 60-54 victory in the close-fought title-decider.

After an up-and-down roller coaster ride throughout the course of the contest, it all came down to fine details in the final minutes of the game, with MVP Satou Sabally carrying the Germans across the finish line with 10 points in the last period.

Sabally was the top scorer of the game with 20 points and 6 rebounds, with Brossmann providing a steady helping hand by scoring 9 points and corralling 10 boards.

Alexandra Haskova was the only double-digit scorer for the Slovaks with 16 points, with Miroslava Mistinova chipping in with 9 points on just 3-of-12 shooting from the field. 

Meanwhile, Croatia were the other big winners of the day, registering an all-important 60-51 victory in the bronze-medal game that guarantees them promotion.

Ana Petrak paced the winners with 16 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, while Anita Kelava added 12 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks after playing the full 40 minutes. For Belarus, forward Aryna Masko had 11 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Greece clinched 5th place and got retribution against Czech Republic for the heartbreaking overtime loss in the Group Phase that kept them out of the Semi-Finals with a 79-67 victory to finish the tournament on a positive note.

Maria Fasoula set new personal tournament-highs with 30 points and 17 rebounds for the winners, while Tereza Sipova was Czech Republic's leading scorer with 20 points and 7 boards.

Tournament hosts Israel left Great Britain no hope in the Classification Game for 7th place, unleashing a 77-49 belting powered by their long-range shooting and a 16-point outburst from Yarden Danan.

Ukraine did not have to break a sweat in a 92-65 win against Romania to finish in 9th place, while Iceland avoided a last-place finish by defeating the winless Ireland 64-54 in the Classification Game for 11th place.

FIBA