SANTA CRUZ DE LA PALMA (Spain) — On home soil, in front of a rapturous crowd in the Canary Islands, Spain secured their sixth FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket championship title with a commanding 81-72 victory over Finland in a pulsating Final.
It was a triumphant return to the top for a Spanish program that had waited a decade to reclaim the crown, and they did it in style — going unbeaten through all seven games of the tournament.
A Masterclass in the First Quarter
Spain set the tone early, racing to a 24-12 lead after the opening quarter. Their full-court pressure suffocated Finland's ball-handlers, and the hosts converted turnover after turnover into fast-break points.
Sara Okeke was virtually unstoppable, finishing with a game-high 23 points on a remarkable 11-for-13 shooting from the field, adding 7 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Her efficiency was nothing short of extraordinary.
Finland's Brave Comeback Falls Short
Credit to Finland, who refused to fold. After trailing by as many as 21 points, the Nordic side clawed their way back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to just four points at 56-52. Ada Luukkanen led the charge with 15 points, and Anna Gardziella's sharpshooting kept Finnish hopes alive.
But Spain's championship pedigree shone through in the fourth quarter. Mireya Sanz contributed 12 crucial points as the hosts restored a double-digit lead and never looked back, closing out the game with the composure of a team that had been there before.
Bronze for France
In the third-place match, France claimed bronze with a dominant 72-47 victory over Belgium, highlighted by Alicia Tournebize's sensational performance that included a thunderous dunk — a historic first for French women's age-group basketball.
Greece, Israel, and Portugal were relegated to Division B for the 2026 edition, while Sweden, Germany, and Croatia earned promotion — ensuring fresh faces and heightened competition in Stockholm.
Spain's perfect 7-0 run through the tournament was the defining story of the 2025 edition, and with many of their young stars eligible to return in 2026, La Roja will be the team to beat in Stockholm.