Spain claims European U20 Championship gold edging Lithuania in final / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Spain U20 national team overcame the Lithuania U20 national team 69-61 (26-17, 16-20, 13-18, 14-6) with a strong effort in the first and fourth quarters of the FIBA European U20 championship final in Podgorica.

2-pointers this season

47%18,3Points made:18,3Accuracy:47,4%Place in standings:2Record max:24Record min:13Most made 2FGs:Mantas RubštavičiusTeamU20StatisticsSchedule

Spain claimed the gold by having the better final 3 minutes in the game, in which Lithuania went scoreless.

Miguel Malik Allen made an alley-oop layup with 35 seconds left in the game to give Spain a 7-point lead, which essentially closed Lithuania's chances.

Lithuania did not give up after the bad start in the fourth quarter and cut the deficit down to just 1 point (62:61) with 3:19 left in the final quarter after Augustas Marciulionis' floater.

Spain started the fourth quarter with a 7:0 run and was up by 7 points (62-55) after Ruben Dominguez's 3-pointer with 6:32 left in the game.

Neither team gained an advantage (55:55) going into the final 10 minutes.

Lithuania had a strong defensive effort at the start of the second half allowing just 2 points in the first 5 minutes of the third quarter and has taken a 4-point lead (44-48) after Dominykas Stenionis' 3-pointer with 5:22 left in the quarter.

Spain started the game well and had an 8-point lead(10-2) early in the first quarter.

For the gold winners, Ruben Dominguez had 17 points (4/6 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 0/0 FT), 3 rebounds, and 1 block.

Lithuania once again was led by Mantas Rubstavicius who finished with 15 points (4/6 2PT, 2/8 3PT, 1/1 FT) and 2 rebounds.

Spain U20: Ruben Dominguez 17, Michael Caicedo 13, Juan Nunez 11 (5 REB);

Lithuania U20: Mantas Rubstavicius 15, Dovydas Butka 11, Jokubas Rubinas 8 (4 AST).

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