Romania's U16 basketball team reaches European Top 8 for first time since 1987
Romania's U16 men's basketball team defeated Turkey to reach the European Championship's last eight for the first time since 1987.
At the European U16 Basketball Championship, Romania beat Turkey in the round of 16 to advance to the tournament's Top 8 for the first time since 1987. Romania led for nearly 31 of the game's 40 minutes, pulling away in the final quarter, which they won 24:16.
The standout performer was 15-year-old Sebastian Petru-Lepusti, who played 37 minutes and finished with 26 points, ten rebounds, nine assists and eight steals. Turkey's top scorer was power forward Arda Eztirk with 23 points and 13 rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent the loss.
Road to the last eight
In the group stage, Romania suffered a heavy defeat to Poland (62:105) before beating Serbia (75:73) and losing to Lithuania only in overtime (84:92).
Lithuania's U16 team also continued its run in the tournament. After a weak opening quarter against Italy (18:25), the Lithuanians improved over the rest of the game to win 80:72. Italy's top scorer was US-raised Aaron Matis with 30 points.
Latvia's U16 team also advanced in the round of 16, defeating Serbia 99:59. In the quarterfinals, held on August 12 in Oradea, Latvia will face Greece, while Romania will play France and Lithuania will meet Germany.
