Slovenia's U18 basketball team claims European title, defeating host Italy

Slovenia's U18 basketball team has captured the European Championship title, decisively beating host nation Italy 88-71 in the final held in Trento, Italy. This triumph marks a significant achievement for Slovenian youth basketball, adding another gold medal to the nation's collection this year.

The victory follows closely on the heels of the Slovenian U20 team's own European Championship win just two weeks ago. The U18 squad, coached by Domen Zevnik, demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the tournament, building a substantial lead early in the final match. They established a 19-point advantage in the first half and maintained control, extending their lead to as much as 25 points during the game.

Key player Stefan Joksimović was instrumental in Slovenia's success, leading the team with an outstanding 24 points, complemented by eight rebounds and five assists in the final. Lukas Bojović contributed 21 points, while Igor Stjepanović added 15 points to the winning total. Maks Ciperle and Jusuf Karišik also delivered strong performances, with Ciperle scoring nine points and Karišik achieving a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Slovenia's path to the championship included victories over Lithuania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Israel, and Spain in the semifinals. Despite a loss to Germany in the group stage, the team showcased resilience and determination, ultimately proving their dominance on the European stage.

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Slovenian hopes knew no end.