FIBA U18 : Greece new Europe Champion !

After an amazing final, Greece gets the win against Turkey and climbs on top of Europe for the first time since 2008, in Pyrgos-Greece.

Preview:

Turkey came to Volos having won the championship twice in the last 2 years. A three-peat was desirable, but the Greek's hunger was ever unsated! Would Korkmaz lead Turkey to another cup, or would Charalampopoulos stand out and lead Greece to the top for the first time after Pyrgos in 2008? The answers were set to be given on the floor!

The game:

In the first quarter, both teams seemed to be nervous, as they counted 2 lost possessions right from the first minute. Al scored Turkey's first 3-pointer, followed by a pair of free throws by Charalambopoulos, then a 3-pointer all by himself (5-2)! Turkey strived to go under the basket with Yurtseven, while Greece prefered the perimeter approach. The visitors could get a 7-10 lead at 6', but Papagiannis answered with a put-back basket. Being the host country seemed to take a toll on Greece, as the team struggled with finishing their attempts. On the other hand, Turkey's energy seemed neverending and their shoots were heated! The score after 10 minutes was 12-19.

At 11' Mouratos went inside the paint and scored for the Greeks (14-19), then Ulker punished Greece's defense with another long distance shot (14-25). A turnover by Diplaros a couple minutes later didn't cost too much and fortunately for the Greeks, Charalampopoulos achieved a goal foul shortly after (19-25). Turkey could steal the ball from the Greeks and a little fight came up between Korkmaz and Diplaros at 17'. The first even made a 3-pointer to put Turkey ahead with 10 points (23-33), then a buzzer one a little later on to mark the halftime score at 25-37!

After the game, Ulker attacked from up close, then finally Skoulidas achieved a long-distance shot for Greeks (28-39). Papagiannis reduced to 30-39, while Skoulidas drove under the basket for 33-39 at 24'. Korkmaz found open space and took advantage of the Greek transition for 38-46 at 27', then seconds later, Al's buzzer put Turkey ahead with 10 points (38-48). After3 quarters, the score was 41-48.

The closing period of the tournament was meant to be stormy! Soon Milentigievits made it a 5-point game again (43-48), with Turkey having 3 fouls in the first minute already. Papagiannis collaborated with Charalampopoulos for an impressive dunk and Skoulidas set the gym on fire after evening at 48-48. The answer was short from Turkey, but it was raining 3s for Greece too! After another tie, Taskiran made his first 3 in the game, too (51-54). Skoulidas and Milentigievits gave Greece a 57-54 lead at 36'. With 33 seconds left, Greece had a brief head of 59-57.

Scoreboard:

Greece: Charalampopoulos 23, Papagiannis 12, Miletigievits/Skoulidas 10.

Turkey: Korkmaz 15, Ulker 13, Taskiran 12.