FIBA U16 European Championship: France takes gold

France defeated home team Montenegro to claim the gold medal at the FIBA U16 European Championship. Les Bleus claims its third title in success and stopped Montenegro winning its first crown as an independent country. After a week of classy U16 hoops, the final lived up to billing by pitting the home team against a dominant European force.

The fans in Podgorica certainly did not let Montenegro down as they pushed their team during the game. Spurred by the crowd, the hosts were able to give France a true test, but ultimately Les Bleus took the win the 2017 FIBA U17 European Championship.

Montenegro vs. France, 68-75

Montenegro has been a surprise package this week, using a combination of consistent plays with a hot home crowd to reach the final. However, neither of those factors clicked in the opening quarter of the final as France started on fire. The guests drained 28 points and conceded just 14 in a blistering first frame. Montenegro settled in the second quarter and edged the period 20-17 to put the scoreboard on 34-45 through the long break.

The hosts had steadied their nerves, but would play the remainder of the game playing catch up. Montenegro had the momentum in the third act and used a 18-11 run to stun France and make it 52-56 through thirty minutes. It was a four-point game heading into the fourth, but Les Bleus found an extra a gear in the deciding frame and used a 16-19 run to win the game.

Killian Hayes secured 21 points and 8 rebounds in the win, followed by Theo Maledon with 20 points and 8 boards. Maledon was the MVP as he added 4 assists and 6 steals to his game.

Bojan Tomasevic and Jovan Kljajic scored 20 apiece in the losing effort.