Bulgaria, Croatia set up Final showdown, also earn promotion to Division A

PITESTI (Romania) - Bulgaria and Croatia reached the Final of the FIBA U16 European Championship 2023, Division B and thereby also secured promotion to Division A next summer. 

Bulgaria will return to the top flight for the first time since 2011 as they knocked off hosts Romania 67-56 in the first Semi-Final. The first half was tight throughout and then Bulgaria took control and opened a 12 point lead. Although Romania tried to get back within touching distance, they could not make it close.

Mikhail Kalinov

Ivaylo Skrinski paced Bulgaria with 15 points, Daniel Hinkov made all seven of his field attempts for 14 points and Mikhail Kalinov contributed 11 points and 5 assists off the bench.

Bulgaria will be joined next summer by Croatia after their clear 82-65 win over Georgia to return to the Division A one year after being relegated. The Croatians, who have won the U16 continental four times including in 2018, fell behind 6-2 early but reeled off a 20-2 run over the rest of the first quarter and were never challenged the rest of the way.

Toni Josipovic led the Croatians with 21 points and 7 rebounds and Borna Katanovic picked up 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. 

In other action, Estonia bounced back from losing their first game of the competition to Georgia in the Quarter-Finals by beating Slovakia 71-66 and will play Hungary for fifth place after they defeated Czech Republic 79-55.

 FIBA