The FIBA U16 EuroBasket is headed toward a title showdown after Latvia defeated Spain and France defeated Lithuania to punch their tickets to the championship game. The dramatic semifinals set up a final clash scheduled for Saturday at 19:30 local time in Oradea, Romania, according to tournament reports and international basketball coverage.
Bleuets Overcome Lituanian Surge in Semifinal Thriller
The French U16 national team kept its undefeated tournament run alive by fending off a ferocious second-half comeback from Lithuania, securing a 92-82 victory in the semifinals. Nicolas Absalon’s squad controlled the early tempo, racing to an 8-3 lead behind quick defensive pressure from Liam Kabeya and taking a 47-37 advantage into halftime. Messie Guethan-Iwani powered the interior attack for France, posting a stellar stat line of 21 points, 16 rebounds, four passes, and three interceptions for a game-high 33 minutes of action, according to match statistics.
Lithuania roared back after the break, slicing through the French defense with a blistering 33-point third quarter. Led by Danielius Jasikevicius—who finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and nine assists—and Rapolas Klisauskas with 17 points, the Lithuanian side captured a 70-69 lead heading into the final period, as documented by FIBA updates. However, the French defense stiffened in the game’s decisive moments. Emmanuel Destom Alger provided a crucial blocked shot, while Kabeya tallied six total interceptions to help seal the 10-point margin, alongside Liham Eleka’s 25-point performance.
LES BLEUETS ARE HEADING TO THE #U16EuroBasket FINAL 🇫🇷🚀 pic.twitter.com/5mXmi8ta3F
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 14, 2026
Latvia Books Title Matchup Against France
While France battled past Lithuania, Latvia secured its place in the final by overcoming Spain in the other half of the bracket. Anchored by standout performances from players like tournament standout Benjamin Berrouet, the Latvian side navigated a tense semifinal battle to earn a shot at the gold medal. The victory guarantees Latvia a chance to capture the European crown against a French roster that has looked formidable throughout the competition in Oradea.
For French basketball, this qualification ensures the delegation will collect a fourth medal of the summer across international youth competitions. The accomplishment follows gold at the U20 women’s European championship, silver at the U18 women’s event, and bronze at the U18 men’s tournament. It also marks the fourth time the French U16 men’s team has reached the tournament’s final since 2017.
Championship Schedule and What to Watch
France and Latvia will meet on Saturday at 19:30 local time in Oradea, Romania, with the European championship on the line.
Worth a look
