Bulgarian spectacular shot eclipses North Macedonia's U16 defeat
A late rout by Bulgaria left North Macedonia 14th at the U16 European B Division; the game produced one of the tournament's most spectacular baskets.
North Macedonia's cadet national team ended its run at the European Under-16 Championship B Division after a heavy defeat to Bulgaria, 102-62, on 15 August 2026. The loss sealed a 14th-place finish for the hosts at the tournament.
Unforgettable make steals the headlines
The match produced one of the tournament's most talked-about moments: an astonishing basket by a Bulgarian player that commentators and social media called the highlight of the championship. Video of the score has been widely shared and repeatedly replayed.
FIBA's description captured the astonishment around the play: "I think I'm hallucinating." That reaction quickly became the shorthand used by viewers and pundits to describe the sequence.
For North Macedonia the contest was otherwise difficult from start to finish. The large margin reflected Bulgaria's dominance on the night and ended any hopes the home side had of climbing the final standings.
The result closes the book on the cadets' campaign; attention now will turn to assessment and planning ahead of next season's age-group calendar. Footage of the remarkable basket remains the most visible memory from the match.
Photo: press material from the event
