Home FIBA Greece become U20 European champions; Croatia, Romania and Great Britain promoted

Greece become U20 European champions; Croatia, Romania and Great Britain promoted

Hosts Greece overcame Israel 65-56 in the European Under-20 Championship final in Crete on Sunday night.

Antonis Koniaris dropped 15 points to lead the victors with NBA Draft prospect Vassilis Charalampopoulos adding a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double as Greece celebrated a first under-20 title since 2009.

Charalampopoulos was later named as tournament MVP as Greece used the sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 to drive them back into the game after Israel took the upper-hand across the opening exchanges.

But, with their nerves settled, Greece moved gears in the second quarter, taking the lead for good on aĀ Charalampopoulos three, just seconds before the half-time buzzer.

It was almost a case of deja-vu for Charalampopoulos, having also earned MVP honors on home soil at under-18 level in 2015, again taking Greece all the way to gold.

Earlier in the day, France beat Spain 72-58 in the bronze medal game with Amine Noua scoring 15 points for the French.

CROATIA, ROMANIA AND GB HEADING TO UNDER-20 DIVISION A

It was a double success for the hosts as Romania eased past Croatia 80-67 in the final of Division B in Oradea.

Emanuel Cate, who later received the Most Valuable Player award, posted a 20-point and 14-rebound double-double, while Tudor Gheorghe added 16 points, eight assists and four rebounds for the victorious Romanians, who are set to make their Division A debut next year. Despite losing, Croatia are also promoted.

Great Britain U20 were the third and final team promoted to Division A from the second tier after they comprehensively routed Russia 81-65 to secure bronze in Oradea.

Akwasi Yeboah top scored with 22 points for Great Britain, who despite brief lapses in the early stages of the second and third quarter, were never in any danger against a woeful Russian outfit, who remain in Division B next term.

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