Bàsquet Girona U18 Makes History With Overtime Win Over Manresa, Securing First-Ever Spanish Championship Berth

In a game defined by resilience and a dramatic late-game surge, the Bàsquet Girona U18 squad secured a landmark victory on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The team defeated Occident Bàsquet Manresa 70-66 in an overtime thriller in Mollerussa, capturing third place in the Campionat de Catalunya Júnior Masculí Preferent.

The win is more than just a podium finish. it marks a historic milestone for the organization. By finishing third, Bàsquet Girona has earned qualification for the Campionats d’Espanya Júnior, marking the first time in the club’s history that the entity has reached this prestigious national tournament.

A Tale of Two Halves: The Comeback in Mollerussa

The path to victory was far from linear. From the opening tip, Occident Bàsquet Manresa controlled the tempo, utilizing a sharp offensive start to build an early 22-15 lead. While Girona struggled to find their rhythm early on, they remained competitive, refusing to let the game slip away despite playing from behind for much of the first half.

The struggle continued into the second half. A period of offensive inconsistency for Girona coincided with a stretch where Manresa, despite playing an irregular game, managed to widen the gap. The deficit reached its peak at 13 points, with Manresa leading 50-37.

For many young teams, a double-digit lead in the closing stages of a high-stakes game is insurmountable. However, the Girona squad pivoted their strategy, shifting toward a high-intensity defensive press and increased accuracy on the offensive end. This surge allowed them to erase the lead and force the contest into overtime.

In the extra period, the momentum stayed firmly with the Girona side. Showing greater solidity and efficiency than their opponents, they closed out the game to secure the 70-66 victory.

Instagram (@bgironabase): “JUGAREM ELS CAMPIONATS D’ESPANYA! El Bàsquet Girona U18 supera al Bàsquet Manresa a la pròrroga (66-70) i disputarà els Campionats d’Espanya Júnior Masculí per primera vegada en la història del club Orgull d’equip i staff”

Why This Result Matters

For a club building its youth infrastructure, qualifying for the Campionats d’Espanya Júnior is a significant validation of their development program. The “Preferent” category in the Catalan Championship is highly competitive, and securing a top-three spot provides the club with national exposure and the opportunity to test their best young talents against the elite of Spanish basketball.

The victory also demonstrates a mental toughness that will be critical as they transition to the national stage. Overcoming a 13-point deficit in a championship-deciding game suggests a level of maturity and coaching stability that bodes well for their upcoming campaign.

Key Takeaways from the Match

• Historic Qualification: First time Bàsquet Girona has qualified for the Campionats d’Espanya Júnior.
• Resilience: Overcame a 13-point deficit (50-37) to force overtime.
• Final Score: 70-66 in favor of Bàsquet Girona.
• Tournament Standing: Third place in the Campionat de Catalunya Júnior Masculí Preferent.
• Venue: The decisive match took place in Mollerussa.

While the U18s celebrate their historic achievement, the club’s broader basketball operations remain active. Across the organization, the senior teams continue their schedules, including BAXI Manresa, who were also in action on April 12 in a senior league derby against Joventut.

The Bàsquet Girona U18 team now turns its attention to preparing for the national tournament, where they will represent the club on the biggest stage available for junior basketball in Spain.

Do you believe this historic qualification will spark a new era for Bàsquet Girona’s youth academy? Let us know in the comments below.