France win U16 title

Picture: FIBA Europe

France won the European Division A title on the 5th August by beating Spain 63-60 in the final.

It was always going to be a difficult game and it was Spain that got off to a better start and when Leonor Rodriguez and Elisabet Vivas Sacramento buried back-to-back three-pointers to allow Spain to open a 20-10 advantage, it looked all over for France. But once France started to move the ball around the low post thing changed and by half time France was in front 30-28


In the final period, Spain continued to struggle securing their defensive glass as Vernerey (left) and Tchatchouang repeatedly kept possessions alive with offensive rebounds.

And with France ahead 55-52, Vernerey rebounded Tchatchouang's three-pointer and Linda Bousbaa drained a three-pointer to give France a 58-52 advantage with 53 seconds to play.

Strunc and Vernerey both made just one of two foul shots and Vega Gimeno Martinez's three-pointer cut the deficit to 60-57.

Tchatchouang turned over the ball with 6.5 seconds left to give Spain one last chance, but Barrios's three-point attempt at the buzzer came up short.

France last won this championship in 2001 and were runners up in 2005.


This victory concluded the French youth international season that included a Bronze at the U21 World Championships, another Bronze at the U20 Europeans and sixth place in the U18.