By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Spain claims title at the 2023 Under-19 FIBA World Cup, defeating France 73-69 in overtime in the final held in Debrecen, Hungary.
Izan Almansa, a newcomer from the G League Ignite, played an impressive 41 minutes, scoring 14 points, grabbing five rebounds, and recording four steals. His outstanding performance earned him a PIR of 18 and the prestigious TISSOT MVP award. Almansa had previously been named MVP at both the U17 World Cup and the U18 European Championship in 2022.
Jordi Rodriguez contributed 18 points, while Rafael Villar added 17 points, including two crucial free throws with just 26 seconds remaining in overtime.
France’s Melvin Ajinca led his team in scoring with 21 points, while Zacharie Perrin showcased dominance near the rim with 14 points and a remarkable 20 rebounds, resulting in a game-high PIR of 31. However, Perrin fouled out with only 46 seconds left in regulation, which proved to be a turning point in the game.
In a contest that featured 18 lead changes, France struggled with turnovers, committing 28, while the Spanish team displayed exceptional ball control, committing just seven turnovers.
Second title for Spain, France still waiting for gold
This victory marks Spain’s second title at the U19 level, breaking a 24-year drought since their previous championship in 1999 when notable players like Juan Carlos Navarro, Raul Lopez, Felipe Reyes, Carlos Cabezas, and Pau Gasol were part of the team. Spain’s only other podium finish in the U19 World Cup came in 1995 when they claimed the third-place position.
On the other hand, France has now experienced consecutive defeats in consecutive U19 World Cup finals, having lost to the United States in 2021. The country continues to pursue its first-ever global youth championship, making its quest for gold even more significant.