Croatia and Czech Republic will play tomorrow (8.15pm) the big final of the U16 Division "A" European Championship, after both teams won today their semifinals match-ups. Mario Hezonja ('95) and his teammates stopped Spain, while hosts defeated France led by Martin Peterka ('95). Can Hezonja touch the Gold Medal in a Pardubice arena full of czech fans? He is averaging 19.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. He is skilled enough to put hosts in problems. Let's check what happened today in semifinals.

 

Ilimane Diop ('95) had another big game for Spain, but wasn't enough. The Caja Laboral's center scored 16 points, pulled down 9 boards and made 4 steals, but in a really tied contest Hezonja sent Croatia to the final with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Beside him Karlo Zganec ('95) collected a double-double (11 points, 11 boards and 5 assists). Spaniards struggled at 3 points line (3/26). In the other semifinal Peterka killed the opponent with 25 points (5/9 threes) and 6 rebounds, while his teammate Prokop Slanina ('95) added 13 with 9 rebounds. At the losing effort Paul Rigot ('95) nailed 19 with 3/7 from downtown, while Damien Inglis ('95) and Olivier Yao-Delon ('95) scored 14 apiece.     

 

Bulgaria and Montenegro will play next summer in Division "B" after finishing as the two worst teams in the event. England and Slovenia will take their spots.

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Honza Mudra