U18 Men’s Games: Friday 16 December
SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) – It’s finally time to tip off the FIBA U18 European Championship and here is what to look out for as the competition starts the group stage.
SAMSUN (FIBA U18 European Championship 2016) – It’s finally time to tip off the FIBA U18 European Championship and here is what to look out for as the competition starts the group stage.
Watch all of the action live on FIBA’s YouTube channel.
Follow the action live throughout the day on the FIBA U18 European Championship live feed.
Spain can ill afford to suffer a loss to Croatia if their goal is to grab one of the top two spots in Group A. Croatia will be looking to use their significant height advantage to take a big first step towards the Quarter-Finals.
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Israel
Bosnia and Herzegovina face a must-win game to start off in Group C as they still must take on Latvia and Lithuania in the group. Israel know they are underdogs and hope they can catch the Bosnians on a bad day - while trying to find a way to stop Dzanan Musa.
Like Spain, Italy look to avoid a slip-up against Sweden in Group A with the Italians hoping to grab a spot in the Quarter-Finals. The match-up between Davide Moretti and Olle Lundqvist will definitely be a fun one to watch.
Baltic neighbours will be going at it in Group C with both teams putting themselves behind the eight-ball should they lose - knowing they still must face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Israel. Latvia must figure out a way to slow down Lithuania's numerous weapons.
This Group B match-up is actually a repeat of the FIBA U18 European Championship 2015 Final - won by Greece in Volos. Turkey are hosting the game this time and very much could use a victory if they want to reach the Quarter-Finals. The same goes for the nominal reigning champions.
France want to start their Group D campaign in style as they take on Russia in a match-up they can ill afford to drop if they want the top spot in the group. Russia's chances of moving into the Quarter-Finals would receive a huge boost if they can knock off the 1998 generation champions France, who won the title at the FIBA U16 European Championship 2014.
Germany enter the tournament as one of the major favourites and anything other than a victory over Finland to start off Group B would be a major setback. Finland meanwhile will be looking to find their way into the competition and see how their attacking style can work against Germany's overall talent.
Serbia start off their Group D campaign against Slovenia and know they are heavily favoured and must get their job done. This is the first step for Serbia to their desired podium finish. But they cannot suffer a setback against the Slovenians if they want to reach the Quarter-Finals.
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