Turkey have won the 2014 European under-20 Division A championships by beating Spain 65-57 in the Final in Crete.
Cedi Osman led Turkey with 20 points and 7 rebounds as they recovered from a 18-14 first quarter deficit and lead 35-28 at half-time, thanks to a 10-0 run in the second period’s early stages.
Spain, paced in the second half by the Hernangomez brothers made sure the game didn’t get away from them, but as the game neared its end, Turkey’s overall depth and quickness at both ends saw them to the finish line.
Guard Oriol Paull led the Spanish attack with 17 points on 66 percent shooting, but they found Osman in unstoppable form as he helped Turkey to victory.
Serbia claimed the bronze medal by beating neighbours Croatia 79-66 in the earlier game.
Five Serbians reached double digits in the scoring column as they had too much firepower for a fatigued Croatian side.
Marko Tejic led Serbia with 16 points and 7 rebounds. Karlo Zganec hit 17 points and pulled down 8 boards for Croatia.
Division B
Hosts Bosnia & Herzegovina eased to victory in Division B by beating Belgium 76-70 in the Final in Sarajevo.
Both Bosnia and Belgium gained promotion to Division A as they finished first and second respectively.
Jusuf Nurkic followed up on his 26 points and 11 rebounds in their semi-final win over Ukraine with an astonishing 34 points and 13 rebounds in the final game, shooting 64 percent from the field.
Stefan Glogovac added 19 for the winners, with Emmanuel Lecomte leading the Belgian Lions with 22.
Photo courtesy of FIBA Europe.
