A to Z of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2017
NEWCASTLE (Paul Nilsen’s Women’s Basketball Worldwide) – There was a surprise champion and an exciting conclusion at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2017 in Sopron and here’s my A to Z guide of the tournament.
A is for All-Star Five of Billie Massey, Ivana Katanic, Klara Lundquist, Kadiatou Sissoko and Veronika Vorackova.
B is for Belgium who took gold and continued up a superb calendar year which also saw their U20 team reach the Quarter-Finals in Matosinhos, while of course there was that historic maiden bronze medal at FIBA EuroBasket Women 2017s.
C is for champions and has there ever been a more unlikely or unfancied winner of a youth tournament in Division A?
D is for didn’t know what to think when I tuned into YouTube and saw both teams warming up together at one basket. Turns out that Croatia and Sweden were just showing good sportsmanship while a quick repair was undertaken to the roof above. Phew – thought I had missed a communication about a rule change!
E is for every successful team normally needs players who get their head down and go to work diligently behind the star or headline performer. In this case, take a bow Marie Vervaet of Belgium who was absolutely integral behind the Massey sisters.
F is for Final and we were treated to an absolute nail-biter and thriller as Belgium prevailed 55-53.
Not a bad summer for the Sabally family!
— Simonas Baranauskas (@LithuaniaBasket) August 13, 2017
Satou wins Gold + MVP at #FIBAU20Europe Div B
Nyara wins Gold + MVP at #FIBAU18Europe Div B pic.twitter.com/gYNxj8j9hx
G is for Germany and a sweet moment in Division B in Ireland, when Nyara Sabally was crowned MVP – just weeks after her older sister Satou received the MVP award at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division B!
H is for hosts and of course Hungary – another strong event and Sopron is becoming synonymous with youth basketball in Europe – thanks for all the hard work!
I is for Iris Junio, the Spanish player who had her burgeoning career savaged by injury and is maybe now redefining her role from a leading star to a role player in the short-term. In the longer-term, I hope and expect her to revert to the kind of impact she had when she originally burst onto the scene!
J is for Juhasz, the classy Hungarian star Dorka Juhasz who tore her ACL and that saw the hopes of the home side go up in smoke. Get healthy soon Dorka!
K is for Klara Lundquist because there are few more exciting players of her generation than the Swedish ace in full flow! It was great she got an All-Star Five place, even though Sweden were back in 8th place. She was the tournament’s top-scorer and also led in steals too.
L is for Lithuania who were horrendous at U20 and relegated, finished in a relegation spot at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship in Bourges and then crashed through the trap door into Division B in Sopron. Only special dispensation as hosts of the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2018 has stopped them suffering a relegation clean sweep as they have been permitted to remain in the top tier at that age group.
M is for MVP Billie Massey who was a colossus and 'Captain Fantastic' for the winning team. The scary thing about this? She still has one more year playing U18.
N is for no surprises that Spain finished as low as sixth and only just avoided one of their worst-ever finishes with a buzzer-beater. It's harsh on the players, but not a winning generation and to be fair, they do have some seriously tough acts to follow down the years.
O is for only the love of the game. That became clear with Czech Republic head coach Ken Scalabroni who has been play-caller with some of the biggest men's club's in Germany but was just as passionate and dedicated in this tournament - having fun with his players and making an eye-catching and deep run in the competition.
P is for photobombing the celebration photo. I respect Arvid Diels hugely and this was an amazing accomplishment, but I never like to see any play-callers right in the middle of the formal celebration picture. Just doesn't look right to me – as amazing as it was to deliver gold for Belgium. Sorry if that is controversial or raining on the parade!
Q is for 'Queen of the Swats' Billie Massey who hit the 20 blocks landmark!
R is for relegation and it almost crashed down on Latvia who only just escaped. It was arguably a surprise, since many of their players had competed reasonably well at the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup leading up to Sopron. Perhaps fatigue was a factor.
S is for Serbia who made such a great run to the Final to take silver and only just missed out on a title by one long-range basket.
T is for top plays and here they are!
Don't miss out on the 🔝 5 plays from the Women's #FIBAU18Europe 🙌. @basketbols @italbasket @HellenicBf @KSSrbije @baloncestofeb @palomag7 pic.twitter.com/3rryDSJ7q3
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 15, 2017
U is for underdogs Bosnia and Herzegovina who were without their wonderful leader Melisa Brcaninovic but managed to survive another year in Division A by 'doing a Sweden' and winning one game to remain in the top tier!
V is for Veronika Vorackova who is such a dynamic talent for Czech Republic – although no big smile for her on the All-Star Five photo after having one of her teeth knocked out.
W is for where did the ball go? Did anyone else see when the game ball shot out of a door behind the basket and into the darkness? The game was stopped as volunteers manfully used the light on their mobile devices to locate it – with a certain FIBA Editor coming up trumps! One of the strangest things we have seen at an event!
THIS CROWD 😍😍😍 Ireland 57 Poland 53 #FIBAU18Europe pic.twitter.com/h2vYFJn4Lh
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 12, 2017
X is for 'X- Factor' and in Division B in Dublin, it was a combination of partisan home support and Claire Melia [who led her team in efficiency, points, rebounds and assists] as Ireland booked their first-ever place at a Division A tournament by gaining promotion.
Y is for young players watching and supporting other young players. Just a few years ago, Serbian Olympian and senior team star Aleksandra Crvendakic was playing for her country at this very event an winning a medal. So, it was inspiring for the current crop to see her sat courtside and lending her support to Serbia.
Z is for Zsofia Fegyverneky who led another successful and vitally important Players Workshop session – with some great feedback for the Hungary national team veteran.
Paul Nilsen
FIBA
FIBA's columnists write on a wide range of topics relating to basketball that are of interest to them. The opinions they express are their own and in no way reflect those of FIBA.
FIBA takes no responsibility and gives no guarantees, warranties or representations, implied or otherwise, for the content or accuracy of the content and opinion expressed in the above article.
