MISKOLC (Hungary) - The Semi-Finals of the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket saw Finland make history by reaching the Final with France up next after they came through a blockbuster matchup, while Greece and Sweden were relegated to Division B.
Stay up to date with the tournament and check out the latest results, groups standings and competition system for all the information you need.
Key Storylines
France emerge from battle of two favoured nations against Spain;
Finland secure first ever medal at a Youth EuroBasket by making the Final.
Greece and Sweden relegated as two lowest ranked nations;
Croatia and Montenegro to play a relegation decider.
Semi-Finals
Finland and Italy had a back-and-forth encounter until the fourth quarter, where Italy were held to just eight points as Finland ultimately won 61-52. It was Finland who had rarely been in this position before, but they remained cool to execute in the clutch, and create a moment of history for their nation.
Alina Nikkila has been the consistent performer for Finland throughout the tournament and grabbed 11 points but they were led by Emilia Helasou who found her first double-digit performance at the best time with 12 points. They were able to overcome Marianna Zanetti's double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Both Spain and France had been dominant throughout the tournament so this was an eagerly anticipated matchup, in which France ultimately showed they were the more dominant so much so that Spain didn't lead at any time. France finished with a 65-57 victory to move a step closer to another title this summer.
Spain, however, did make their best run of nine unanswered points in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to bring the score within just four points, but Kathy-Emma Otto put a much needed stop to France's drought and they saw it out from there. Emma Broliron led France in the game with 12 points.
Top Performers
Helping her nation avoid relegation for at least another day, Nika Gazic took over for Croatia against Greece with a big double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds to go with 5 assists for an efficiency rating of 33.
Belgium got back into the winning column and their one-two punch of Annie Kibedi and Laura Vilcinskas were back at it, with the later dropping a huge double-double of 24 points with 22 rebounds and 4 blocks to finish with an efficiency rating of 30.
Maya Zilbershlag of Israel popped off becoming the tournament's fourth player to post 30 plus points as she racked up 32 with 8 rebounds and 6 steals, although it wasn't enough to claim her nation victory over Serbia.
For Serbia, two of their players posted double-doubles in the win, with point guard Anastasija Jovanov dropping 22 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for an efficiency rating of 28, while her teammate and power forward Angela Ladinek got 15 points, 16 rebounds and 2 assists.
Results of the Day
Semi-Finals
Italy 52-61 Finland Spain 57-65 France
Classification Games 5-8
Belgium 78-71 Hungary Germany 51-57 Slovenia
Classification Games 9-12
Latvia 74-59 Poland Israel 72-79 Serbia
Classification Games 13-16
Greece 58-83 Croatia Montenegro 63-62 Sweden
Final
Finland vs France
FIBA