Croatia lift Division B U16 European crown in Gevgelija

Croatia emerged as the winner of the Division B European Championship for under-16 teams after edging Iceland 69:67 in the final played in Gevgelija.

The narrow victory came in a tense, dramatic game in which the Croatian cadets managed to hold onto a slender lead in the closing moments to secure the title. Both Croatia and Iceland had faced North Macedonia in the group stage of the tournament.

Awards and all-star five

Medals and individual awards were presented during the ceremony at the 26 April sports hall in Gevgelija. The championship took place from 6 to 15 August, split between Gevgelija and Skopje.

Luka Leni Ukić of Croatia was named the most valuable player of the championship; the trophy was presented to him by Macedonian basketball legend Vlado Ilievski. Ukić was also included in the tournament's ideal five.

The rest of the all-star quintet featured his teammate Nikša Zlopasha, Atli Haraldson from Iceland, Mak Omerović from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bert Martin from Estonia.

Estonia finished third in the standings, while Iceland took the silver medal, completing the podium. With the final in Gevgelija the Division B U16 European Championship came to a close after ten days hosted by North Macedonia.

Photo: press material from the event