Bologna, Italy – FC Barcelona U18 delivered a dominant performance Friday, defeating Paris Basketball U18 by a score of 99-48 in the opening game of the Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) in Bologna. The tournament, a qualifying event for the EuroLeague NextGen Final Four in Athens, saw the French side struggle against a Barcelona team brimming with highly-touted prospects.
Barcelona Takes Control Early
The game quickly tilted in Barcelona’s favor. They established a significant lead in the first half, going into the break with a commanding 50-23 advantage. Paris Basketball, making their debut in the U18 European competition, found themselves unable to contain Barcelona’s offensive firepower and struggled to find consistent scoring opportunities.
A Young Paris Team Faces a Steep Challenge
Julien Mahé’s Paris Basketball squad, comprised of a young and developing group, faced a formidable opponent in Barcelona, a historically strong force in European youth basketball. The tournament in Bologna also features Bayern Munich and Trento in Group A, and Panathinaikos, Fundacion Baskonia-Alaves, Virtus Bologna, and NextGen Team Bologna in Group B.
Barcelona’s Talent Shines Through
Joaquim Boumtje led Barcelona with an impressive 22 points and 9 rebounds, showcasing his all-around game. Jan Cerdan added 18 points, while Nikola Kusturica contributed 17. Mohamed Keita and Mohamed Dabone each chipped in with 12 points, demonstrating the depth of Barcelona’s scoring options. For Paris, Enilce Mabaka was the primary offensive threat, scoring 13 points – the only Parisian to reach double figures.
Nikola Kusturica, who has already seen minutes in the Spanish Liga Endesa, particularly stood out. He arrived at the tournament with a strong reputation, having been named MVP of the 2025 EuroBasket U16 and earning a gold medal at the European Championship. Mohamed Dabone is also considered one of the most promising young players in European basketball. Facing such a talented lineup immediately highlighted the level of competition at the ANGT.
Nikola Kusterica vs Paris U18 at ANGT Bologna
17 PTS – 6 REB – 2 AST – 2 STL – 1 BLK – 5/11 FG – 7/11 FTS
Strong 20 minutes from the 16-year-aged. He didn’t shoot well, but he flashed elite footwork, connectivity, and athleticism throughout. Honestly felt like he should’ve… pic.twitter.com/gz4fpxWMxG— Josh M (@JknowsBBall) March 13, 2026
A Learning Experience for Paris Basketball
The 51-point defeat is undoubtedly a tough result for Paris Basketball, but it comes within the context of their first experience at this level of competition. The team is still developing and gaining experience, and facing a top European club like Barcelona in their opening game presented a significant challenge. Barcelona was identified by the EuroLeague as one of the favorites in the Bologna tournament.
For the young Parisian players, the focus now shifts to rebounding quickly. They will face Trento later this Friday, offering an immediate opportunity to apply lessons learned from this challenging first game.
The Adidas Next Generation Tournament, sponsored by Adidas and organized by Euroleague Basketball, has been a proving ground for young talent since its inception in 2002. Real Madrid holds the record for the most titles with five, while Žalgiris claimed the most recent championship. The tournament’s Final Four is traditionally held alongside the senior EuroLeague Final Four, providing a platform for these rising stars to showcase their skills.
This year’s ANGT is particularly significant as it serves as a key stepping stone for these U18 players, many of whom aspire to compete at the highest levels of European basketball. The tournament not only identifies future stars but also provides invaluable experience in a high-pressure environment.
Paris Basketball will need to quickly adjust and demonstrate resilience as they navigate the remainder of the tournament in Bologna. Their next match against Trento will be a crucial test of their ability to learn from this experience and compete against other top European teams.
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