POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Jeremy Fears Jr.
FINAL
Spain – USA 67-79
USA conquered the trophy in Spain. They overcame the hosts in the championship game tonight to defend the title. Spain used a strong start to take a 20-13 lead after ten minutes. USA cut the deficit at 5-point mark at the big break. The North American team followed with a strong 29-13 push in the third quarter to spur ahead. They maintained the lead throughout the fourth period and raced to the win. Jeremy Fears Jr. (186-G-2005) delivered 17 points, while Ronald Holland II (207-F-2005) added 13 points in the victory. Hugo Gonzalez (198-G-2006) and Aday Mara (220-C-2005) responded with 16 points each for Spain.
3-4 Place
France – Lithuania 66-58
France earned Bronze medals in Spain. They topped Lithuania in the consolation final tonight. les Bleues piled up a 35-25 halftime advantage. They followed with a 21-16 run in the third period to open a 15-point lead. Lithuania sweetened the pill in the fourth quarter but could not avoid the loss. Ilane Fibleuil (193-SG-2005) tossed in 16 points, while Noah Penda (199-F-2005) contributed 12 points for France. Justas Stonkus (192-G/F-2005) replied with 15 points for Lithuania.
5-6 Place
Australia – Serbia 67-69
Serbia topped Australia to earn the fifth overall position. Australia registered a 41-35 halftime lead. Serbia however responded with an 18-10 run in the fourth quarter to snatch the victory. Mitar Bosnjakovic (200-SF-2006) and Bogoljub Markovic (204-F-2005) notched 14 points each for Serbia. Joshua Dent (188-G-2005) answered with 20 points for Australia.
7-8 Place
Slovenia – Poland 77-74
Slovenia held off Poland in the battle for the 7th position. Slovenia rallied to a 40-35 halftime advantage. They extended the lead to as many as 7 points heading into the fourth frame. Poland cut the deficit in the final stanza but came up short at the end. Jan Vide recorded 22 points, while Nejc Dizdarevic (192-G/F-2005) added 13 points in the win. Szymon Nowicki (201-F-2005) answered with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for Poland.
9-10 Place
Canada – Egypt 92-70
Canada cruised past Egypt to end up in the 9th position at the championship. Canada opened a comfortable 53-28 halftime lead. They stayed in charge throughout the second half and marched to the victory. Ishan Sharma (196-SG-2005) and Jaion Pitt (194-SF-2006) produced 13 points each for Canada. Seifeldin Hendawy (197-F-2005) replied with 23 points for Egypt.
11-12 Place
Argentina – New Zealand 80-70
Argentina fired past New Zealand for the 11th place in Spain. Argentina grabbed a 47-36 halftime lead. The Latin American side went on a 24-17 run in the fourth term to seal the win. Juan Respaud (190-PG-2005) posted 17 points, while Maximo Lomello (202-F-2005) and Lucas Giovannetti (201-F-2005) had 13 points each for the winners. Julius Halaifonua (214-C-2006) answered with 18 points and 13 rebounds for New Zealand.
13-14 Place
Japan – Dominican Republic 68-85
Dominican Republic outscored Japan to claim the 13th position. Japan led by two points after ten minutes. But Dominican Republic unloaded 30 points in the second frame to gain a 42-32 halftime lead. They followed with a 20-10 run in the third frame to rally to the victory. Rodrigo Aybar (190-SF-2005) and Danny Carbuccia (185-G-2006) finished with 17 points each for the winners. Eijiro Ogawa (187-G-2005) recorded 21 points, while Yuto Kawashima (201-F-2005) had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Japan.
15-16 Place
Lebanon – Mali 54-75
Mali wrapped up their campaign with victory. They stormed past Lebanon to earn the 15th place in the tournament. Ibrahim Doumbia (185-G-2006) recorded 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Chouaybou Keita (197-SF-2006) added 14 points for Mali. Serouj Avedissian (184-PG-2005) responded with 15 points for Lebanon.
