A new generation of youth basketball players make their mark in Poinçonnet

The fans of youth basketball were given a treat on the final day in Poinçonnet with two excellent games of basketball.

The Italians' nightmare day one match against Spain was forgotten as they gave their best performance against the Netherlands.

Renato Nani, the coach from Italy, knows what it takes to win a European youth championship on home soil as he coached the Italian U18 team to victory in 2006. Despite leaving France without a victory, Italy have four months to find a winning formula.

Rene van der Wielen, the coach from the Netherlands, was also pleased with the overall performance from his players as they bounced back from a difficult game on day 2 to beat the Italians (62-55) in their final game.

Isabella Slim from the Netherlands was rewarded for her efforts during the three days with her nomination in the all-tournament team.

The Netherlands will continue their preparation for the European Championship with a series of games against England next month.

Spain U16 played with maturity

Spain scored a total of 236 points during the three games that is 78 points per game while conceding 147 points.

However on each day they showed something new to their game. In the final game against France they demonstrated patience and maturity.

The final match started slowly and Spain had had to wait for more than two minutes to get on the scoreboard.

After the quick starts from both teams on previous day, the first five minutes were rather dull with just 8 points scored and Spain leading (6-2).

France had one option in attack, Aby Gaye who scored 9 points during the ten minutes as France profited from some poor free-throwing from Spain in taking the first quarter (18-13).

The second quarter was all about defense in which Spain treated France to a master class. France managed just 2 points during the first six minutes while Spain scored 10 points to take the lead (23-20) for good.

The battle in the paint was tough by both teams with neither side really able to add many points to their total.

Spain went into the locker room leading (27-23).

The game was decided during the first two minutes of the third quarter. Spain went on the offensive with fast breaks and full court press while scoring 8 unanswered points (35-23).

France did fight back but lost too many points at the free-throw line which allowed Spain to hold a 9-point lead going into the final quarter (49-40).

The last quarter turned into a youth basketball shoot-out. France reduced the deficit to 5 points at one stage but Spain pushed it up to 11 points when money-time arrived.

Spain controlled the remaining minutes to end up beating France (69-60) and take the trophy they last won in 2008.

France: Morateur 5, Dinga 10, Djadi Tarbi 7, Guapo 9, Gaye 15, Elenga 3

Spain: Romero 12, Rodriguez 3, Lizarazu 5, Arrojo 15, Pujol Lluch 5, Navarro 8, Pena Pascual 8, Del Santo 6, Congomo 2, Sole Thomas 4, Perez 2

Belén Arrojo Jiménez (left) from Spain took the honours of MVP, while her team-mate Leticia Romero won a place in the a-tournament team.

The remaining three members of the all-tournament team are: Isabella Slim from the Netherlands, Bérengère Dinga Mbomi and Aby Gaye from France.

Spain took the youth basketball trophy home while France had to be content with the runners-up cup. The Netherlands finished in third place while Italy took home the wooden spoon.

All the results from the three days:

Spain 88-36 Italy
France 71-48 Netherlands

Spain 79-51 Netherlands
France 76-45 Italy

Netherlands 62-55 Italy
France 60-69 Spain

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Youth basketball picture credits:
Olivier Saare
La Nouvelle Republique
Nathalie Bignath
Date created: 26 April 2011

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