U17 World Championships: USA and Turkey make final

The final of the U17 World Championships has been set. No surprises to see the United States in the showpiece game, but the inclusion of Turkey has added some spice to this game. The Turks produced a big performance to overcome hosts Spain in the final four, the result setting up an historic first ever finale for the country.

The United States has made more predictable passage through the tournament and are set to defend their crown in the showpiece game. The US is the only team to ever win this competition, the country will not want to lose that distinct honor and is on fine form for a fourth U17 Worlds Championships success.

Turkey vs. Spain, 83-79

Turkey made history by overcoming Spain, but it was a hotly contested game that went into an additional overtime period. Spain had the better of the first half, taking the first quarter 18-19 before opening up with a 13-24 second frame that made it 31-43 through the long break. Turkey started to hit Spanish control with a 22-14 third act, making it 53-57 through thirty minutes. The fourth quarter saw the Turks carry the momentum into the fourth stanza to tie the game 73 points apiece through regulation. The hosts were stunned in the overtime period as Turkey took the victory.

USA vs. Lithuania, 98-70

After draining 133 points in the last round and topping a century of points in every game so far, the USA was made to work harder in the semifinal against Lithuania. Still, the defending champions were far too hot for the Europeans and cruised to victory. It was a high octane first quarter where Lithuania went bucket for bucket with US until the champs moved 26-23 ahead. In the second quarter USA won the frame 21-14 to open a sizeable 47-37 lead at halftime. A 28-10 third quarter settled the game once and for all, allowing the USA to rest and Lithuania to tie the fourth act 23-23.