TIRANA (Albania) - There will be a first time champion at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket 2024, Division C as hosts Albania set up a date with Kosovo for the crown - with the home side reaching the Final for the first time.
Albania fought past Armenia 82-81 in a thrilling Semi-Final with eight lead changes in the second half. They have secured their second U16 Division C medal to go with third place in 2022 - thanks to a thrilling final seconds.
After Genti Nilo made just one of two free throws with 10.3 seconds to go to make it 82-80 for the hosts, Armenia's Edgar Agabekyan could only make the first foul shot with 7.1 seconds remaining.
Armenia had three chances after offensive rebounds but could not get the win, with Bagrat Khachatryan's putback attempt at the buzzer going around the rim but falling out.
Nilo finished with 31 points and Preston White scored 15 points for the winning side.
The Albanians' opponents in Sunday's Final at the National Olympic Centre will be Kosovo.
Kosovo reached their second Final following 2015 with a 76-41 win over Azerbaijan. The Balkan side conceded just nine points in the second quarter and then finished the game strong with a 21-4 fourth quarter. Kosovo have secured their second podium finish at the event after taking second place in 2015.
Yll Kastrati was unstoppable for Kosovo with 32 points - the second most any one has scored in the tournament - and Lis Binishi collected 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Azerbaijan will look to bounce back and take home a medal, which would be their fourth following two second-place finishes in 2016 and 2023 and a third place in 2017.
Armenia still have a chance to reach the podium for a third time after winning the crown in 2017 and taking second place in 2022.
In the Classification 5-8 games, Kai Fabri totalled 19 points as Malta beat Gibraltar 59-51 and Federico San Martini tallied 19 points in San Marino's 66-54 win over Republic of Moldova.
Final (Sunday July 14)
Albania vs Kosovo
Third Place Game (Sunday July 14)
Armenia vs Azerbaijan
FIBA