Spain is European Champion U23!!!
Spain leads the game against Germany and becomes European Champion U23, while 3rd place goes to Israel after defeating Turkey for 1 point. Important victory also for France, that finishes the championship at the 5th place, allowing them to qualify for World Championship Men U23, Chiba, Japan.
FRANCE – POLAND 74-40
France takes the lead as the game starts, reaching a 16-0 in the first four minutes of the match. Poland is able to score the first basket in the fifth minutes, starting to respond back to every point made by France. The French team gains a comfortable advantage in the first quarter, which ends at 23-10. With a second partial of 23-10, France is able to increase the gap from the opponent, closing the first half at 43-23. While Poland is able to score only 4 points in the third quarter, the team is able to make the last quarter a much closer game than the first three. Ultimately, led by Manuel Gomez, France closes the game at 74-40, securing the 5th place in the European Qualifiers U23.
Leaders
Manuel Gomez (FRA): 26 points, 5 assists
Krzysztof Kozaryna (POL): 13 points
Full Statistics: http://bit.ly/StatsMenU23_game14
ISRAEL – TURKEY 60-59
A point-to-point game for the 3rd place. Israel and Turkey fought until the last second to bring home the bronze medal. Israel tries to get distance from the opponent, but Turkey counterattacks to each point made. The first quarter closes at 13-12, while the second one at 27-26. The second half is the same story but with a reversed situation: Turkey tries to get advantage and Israel counterattacks. Four minutes are left, and Turkey leads by 5 points. The Israeli players turn the game and bring the team in advantage of 3 points, just 24 seconds from the end. One more layup scored by Turkey and the difference between the two teams is of only one point. The game is closed at 60-59 and Israel gets the third place in the European Qualifiers Men U23
Leaders
Amit Vigoda (ISR): 23 points, 5 assists
Mücahit Günaydin (TUR): 21 points, 12 total rebounds
Mahmut Açikgöz (TUR): 5 assists
Full Statistics: http://bit.ly/StatsMenU23_bronzemedal
GERMANY – SPAIN 34-76
Spain takes the lead right away with a first partial of 10-18. In the second quarter, the Spanish team increases the gap from Germany, bringing the score at 16-40. Spain, led by Ignacio Ortega, does not stop with a third partial of 7-12 and a fourth one of 11-24. With a high amount of shots attempted and a higher percentage of shots made, Spain overcomes Germany with a final score of 34-76 and wins the European Qualifiers for World Championship Men U23!
Leaders
Ignacio Ortega (ESP): 35 points, 28 total rebounds
Óscar Onrubia (ESP): 6 assists
Full Statistics: http://bit.ly/StatsMenU23_goldmedal
