Young Turks Can Jump

Mavi Boncuk | European Championships U16 Basketball

Turkey are the new U16 European champions. They overcame France in the title game tonight in Vilnius. Mehmet Alemdaroglu (205-F-96) posted 14 points and 11 rebounds to lead the winners. Turkey set the tone early in the championship game. They went on a 9:2 run at the start of the game. Turkey maintained the lead and posted a 19:16 lead at the first break. The margin grew at 8-point mark midway through the second term. Turkey ensured a 37:33 halftime lead.


Turkey opened a double-digit lead in the third term. They posted a 53:41 lead late in the quarter. France trimmed the distance to a single point 59:60 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. Ediz Oktay (192-G-96) and Ulubay gave some breathing room for Turkey. Smock kept France hopeful but two free throws from Ediz Oktay sealed the victory for Turkey. Akif Guven (206-C-96) posted 12 points, while Ediz Oktay added 10 points for the winners. Lucas Dussoulier (196-PG-96) and Cyrille Eliezer-Vanerot (194-F-96) answered with 11 points each for France.


Italy, Serbia, France and Turkey entered semifinals in Latvia and Lithuania . Turks advanced to the finals after beating Serbia 67-62