Spain wins FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 with thrilling 73-69 overtime win
Posted : 03 July 2023
Spain reclaimed their position at the pinnacle of international basketball by clinching the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023 title in a captivating 73-69 overtime triumph over France.
Jordi Rodriguez led the scoring with 18 points, while Rafael Villar made a crucial contribution of 17 points, including two crucial free throws with 26 seconds remaining in the extra period. The clash between these European powerhouses will be remembered as a classic encounter.
This victory marks Spain's second U19 championship, with their previous triumph dating back to 1999 when notable players such as Pau Gasol, Juan Carlos Navarro, Raul Lopez, Felipe Reyes, and Carlos Cabezas secured the title.
France, on the other hand, suffered their second consecutive defeat in the U19 World Cup Finals, having lost to the United States in 2021. Despite their strong performances, France is still in search of their first-ever global youth championship.
Melvin Ajinca impressed with 21 points, while Zacharie Perrin recorded 20 rebounds for the French team, who encountered their only two losses in Debrecen at the hands of Spain.
Meanwhile, in the Third-Place Game, Turkey made history by defeating the United States for the first time in their basketball history with a convincing 84-70 victory, securing a third-place finish and matching their best-ever result in the competition.
Tan Yildizoglu spearheaded Turkey's offense with 20 points and 8 assists, while Berke Buyuktuncel contributed 19 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. This achievement equals Turkey's previous podium finish in 2015, marking a significant milestone for the team.
Izan Almansa of Spain was honored with the TISSOT MVP award for his outstanding performance throughout the tournament. He was joined by teammate Jordi Rodriguez, France's Zacharie Perrin, Turkey's Berke Buyuktuncel, and USA's Mark Armstrong in the All-Star Five lineup.
Final Standings of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023:
1. Spain
2. France
3. Turkey
4. USA
5. Argentina
6. Serbia
7. Canada
8. Japan
9. Slovenia
10. China
11. Brazil
12. Korea
13. Egypt
14. Madagascar
15. Lebanon
16. Hungary
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