Israel knock out Serbia, Turkey see off hosts to reach Quarter-Finals

SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - 16 teams were cut down to the final eight at the FIBA U16 European Championship on Tuesday with the Quarter-Final matchups confirmed in the battle for the title.

Israel were the only side to advance that did not finish in the top-two in the Group Phase as they knocked out Serbia on Tuesday, following an inspired second-half performance. Ben Avraham Saraf posted a near triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the way.

There was little to split the sides at the interval as Serbia led 45-43, but Israel came out firing to start the third quarter to soon open up a double-digit lead and that proved decisive as they went on to secure a 96-84 win.

Meanwhile, Italy maintained their perfect record as they defeated Montenegro in a 78-72 victory that doesn't tell the full story. Italy were in cruise control as they led by as many as 21 points before a spirited fightback.

Stefano Trucchetti came up with 6 steals to go with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists in the win with teammate Elhadji Dame Sarr top scoring with a 24-point haul with 6-of-12 shooting from three-point range.

Turkey put an end to the hopes of the hosts North Macedonia as they recorded an 82-74 victory. A run of 17 unanswered points helped establish a commanding 24-point advantage, but the home crowd helped fuel a fightback to make the final scoreline respectable.

It will be unbeaten Lithuania next up for Turkey after they continued their winning run in the competition by beating Denmark 97-48 as Dovydas Buika finished with 21 points, 6 assists and 6 steals in the win.

Slovenia advanced to the Quarter-Finals with a 78-66 success against Netherlands with Urban Kroflic pouring in 27 points to continue his prolific tournament. There was also a convincing 84-62 victory for Greece as they powered past Latvia with an all-round team display.

Earlier, there were big wins for France and Spain to open the day's action. Six players were in double figures for France as they brushed aside Croatia in a 97-59 victory, while Spain had 14 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists from Mario Saint-Supery in their 96-54 win over Poland.

Quarter-Finals (Wednesday, August 17):

Lithuania v Turkey
Israel v Greece
France v Italy
Slovenia v Spain

FIBA