By Rafal Juc

 

Only eight teams headed by unbeaten Italy stay in mix in race for U16 Division "A" European Championship title. Let’s check what will happen in final round in Vilnius.

 

Italy - Poland

Although Italy has reached quarterfinal with perfect 6-0 record, it is not easy to point out front-runner in their match-up with Poland. Polish team after starting with 0-2 record has shocked all, beating Germany and Lithuania, presenting as a one of the most dangerous teams at the event. Italian team is led by 6-6 forward Pierfrancesco Oliva ('96), who averages so far 15.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3 assists per game, while in polish team impress the most twin brothers Kamil and Marek Zywert ('96). Key factor should turn out battle in paint.

Italian team lack true post players, playing mainly small-ball, with mobile forwards at frontcourt. So even more interesting is how they intend to stop dangerous polish frontcourt duo: Filip Pruefer ('96) and Grzegorz Kulka ('96). The first one is 6-10 tough center, who displays ability to post-up well on low post, while 6-7 Kulka plays mainly face-up on dribble. Nevertheless, the most entertaining battle is expected on point guard position, where mentioned already Kamil Zywert will face Federico Mussini ('96).

 

Serbia - Spain

Is Spain able to get up from knees? Spaniards lost all games in second round and in quarterfinal they play with tough and versatile Serbian team. It is going to be last chance for Marc Bauza (’96) to confirm his talent, while currently number 3 in our rankings, is disappoint so far with average of only 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. The only Spaniard, who plays as expected is skinny, but versatile 6-5 tweener Marc Garcia ('96).

Nothing surprisingly that Serbia is undeniably front-runner of this match-up - Marko Icelic’s team is well-coached and well-balanced with seven players scoring more than five points per game. The biggest strengthens of Serbia are: crashing the glass well, transition offense and aggressive defense. Worth to pay attention on 6-7 mobile PF Nikola Pavlovic (’96), however Serbian team is packed with talent, while even 15-years old Stefan Peno gets some serious minutes on court.

 

Turkey - Germany

Turkey is still one of the front-runners to win title, even they lost to unbeaten Italy and surprisingly to Latvia, which has taken home advantage, even without chances to advance to quarterfinal. Worth to notice that best scorer of Turkish team is only 15-years Okben Ulubay (’97). 6-6 small forward impresses with mature body-building, natural strength, well-polished shooting touch with deep range and ball-handling.

Quarterfinals will show if German team is overhyped, while Germans reached this stage, even after losing two of their last three games. Herald Stein’s team seems to be quite one-sided with Jan Wimberg ('96) as a major impact on both ends of court, who averages so far 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds. 6-7 forward is forced to play under the same basket, however he shows really polished ball-handling and displays ability to attack the rim well on dribble. Must be noticed that really successful second round had 15-years old Niklas Kiel ('97), who finished against Greece with 8 points and 17 rebounds, after playing in total only 9 minutes in first three games.

 

France - Croatia

Croatia has started European Championships with two unexpected loss to Italy and Turkey, however both games were won by opponents in final minutes. The biggest strength of Croatia is fact that they have got in roster phenomenal Marko Arapovic (’96), who earlier this month played successfully at World Championship U17. Son of former great player Franjo, averages so far "only" 19.2 points, 8 rebounds and 2.7 assists, but be sure that he will show up his talent in clutch moments. Moreover, his fellow Lovro Mazalin ('97) is the biggest surprise of the tournament, while only 15-years old forward averages 16.8 points, 7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, showing really intelligent basketball.

Also France possesses intriguing youngster in their roster in person of Stephane Gombauld (’97). 6-6 forward is long-term prospect and averages so far 5.2 points and 5 rebounds, being quite raw offensively, however he impresses with length and wingspan. Nevertheless, French team is lead by another forward, Antoine Wallez (’96). Standing at 6-7 he presents nice ball-handling, playing really often 1-on-1 on ball.

 

Twitter of the author: @rafjuc

 

Photo: FIBA Europe / Romans Koksarovs