Makar Konovnitsyn finished Ukraine U16's campaign with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks in 27 minutes — shooting 9-of-13 from the field and 7-of-8 from the line — but it was not enough to close the gap against Hungary U16, who took the classification game 88–64 in Skopje. The 24-point margin told the story. Konovnitsyn's efficiency in the paint (69% FG overall, 88% at the free-throw line) kept Ukraine competitive in stretches, but Hungary's control of the tempo and depth on the perimeter proved decisive. The Ukrainian forward was tasked with carrying too much of the offensive load; his three steals and four blocks indicated he was everywhere on both ends, yet the team could not generate enough secondary scoring. With that result, Ukraine U16 finished 16th in Division B. Konovnitsyn's individual performance was the bright spot in a difficult final outing, but it remains a campaign that ends in disappointment.
FIBA U16 EuroBasket (Division B)
@fiba-u16-eurobasket-division-b
Alexander Lukic-Gavric carried Sweden U16 through much of this Division B classification match, but our GB squad's defensive intensity in the second half proved the decisive factor. The Swedish forward posted 26 points on efficient 10-of-15 shooting from the floor, adding two assists and a steal across 31 minutes of work — yet it was not enough to bridge a 15-point deficit that widened as the contest wore on. Sweden U16 closed their campaign in eighth place after this 89–104 loss in Gevgelija. Lukic-Gavric's scoring prowess — particularly his accuracy inside the arc — kept the visitors competitive early, but Great Britain's collective defensive shape suffocated the Swedes' rhythm in the closing stages. Our GB side secured seventh place with the win, capping a respectable run through the divisional rounds. For Lukic-Gavric and Sweden, it marks the end of their European U16 tournament. He was among their brighter sparks throughout, even if individual excellence could not reverse a team result that slipped away.
Darko Agyapong steadied our GB U16s when it mattered most. In the final five minutes, with Great Britain already six points clear, he struck 6 points on three straight two-point makes, keeping Sweden at arm's length as the lead stretched beyond recovery. Perfect from the field in that window, he finished his closing contribution without a turnover or foul. The 104–89 victory secured seventh place in Division B — a solid finishing position for the squad at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket in Gevgelija. Agyapong's composure when Sweden had one last chance to cut the deficit underlined why youth development at this level matters: showing up when fatigue sets in and the pressure tightens. Great Britain's campaign in this competition is now complete.
Great Britain's U16 side secured a 15-point win over Sweden to finish seventh in Division B, a controlled performance built on an early cushion that proved decisive. Our GB team led 29–18 after the opening quarter and stretched that advantage to 59–48 by half-time. The third quarter was where the game took shape: Great Britain pushed clear to 81–64 at one stage, a 17-point lead that looked to have settled matters. Sweden mounted a brief rally with a 9-0 run mid-quarter, cutting it to 61–57, but our defence regrouped. The final frame saw Sweden outscore Great Britain 22–21, yet the deficit was never bridged. The scoreboard read 104–89 at the whistle. Elijah Imevbore led the scoring with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-20 shooting, a double-double that anchored the inside game. Darko Agyapong was efficient alongside him, 18 points and 9 boards on a sharp 9-of-11 from the field. Dylan Ameen added 15 points and six assists, though his shooting accuracy (5-of-15) reflected a team that won through control rather than precision. Alexander Lukic-Gavric carried Sweden's load with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, yet one strong individual performance could not override Great Britain's depth and early dominance. With seventh place confirmed, our campaign in this competition is complete.
Imevbore's shot-making will need to be sharp when our GB U16 face Sweden in Division B this afternoon. The 16-year-old has averaged 16.2 points per game on solid efficiency, carrying much of the offensive load — but across the court, Lars Wilhelm Johan Lind presents a different problem entirely. Lind's 51.8 TIB Efficiency rating leads this matchup, and his 5.3 assists per game suggest Sweden are building their attack through his hands. At 13 points per game, he's not forcing volume; instead, he's orchestrating. That's a tougher defence to crack than any single scorer. Our GB's path runs through controlling that playmaking. Imevbore will have chances to fill the bucket, but the team's collective discipline on the perimeter — staying disciplined against Sweden's ball movement — will likely decide it. Tipoff from Gevgelija in roughly three hours. #FIBAEuroBasket #GB U16 #SwedenU16 #DivisionB
Ilija Radovic's 30 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists carried Montenegro past our GB U16 side 83–71 in Gevgelija, a 12-point margin that reflected the Montenegrin forward's efficiency throughout. He shot 14 of 21 from the floor and made 2 of 4 from three, needing just 32 minutes to impose himself on the contest. The loss ended Great Britain's campaign in the Division B classification round with no further fixtures to come. Radovic's performance — particularly his rebounding work and accurate shooting — proved the decisive factor in a game where our squad could not sustain the defensive intensity required to stay competitive across all four quarters. For Montenegro, a home win of this calibre offered a bright close to their own tournament in Gevgelija, with Radovic leading the way on both ends to secure a convincing victory.
Great Britain's run at U16 Division B ended in hard-fought defeat to Montenegro, who held on to a 12-point margin after leading by as many as 21 in the fourth quarter. Our GB side came out sharp in the opening quarter, reeling off a 12-0 run mid-frame to establish a seven-point cushion by the end of the first. That early momentum carried through the second, and we led 34-24 at one stage before a strong finishing spell saw Montenegro claw back to trail just 41-40 at half-time. The third quarter proved the turning point — Montenegro outscored us 25-14 to move ahead 65-55 and never relinquished control, despite a late rally that saw us close to 83-71. Dylan Ameen led our scoring with 18 points on 6 of 10 shooting and a perfect 4-7 from three. Nathan Muleba added 16 points and 8 rebounds, though he struggled from deep at 0-6, while Elijah Imevbore chipped in 11 points and 8 rebounds. Ilija Radovic dominated for Montenegro with a double-double of 30 points and 12 rebounds on 14 of 21 shooting, supported by Milos Knezevic's composed 17 points and 6 assists. The result caps a tournament campaign in which our GB U16s proved competitive throughout, despite ultimately falling short.
Atli Freyr Haraldsson Katrinarson ran the floor like he owned it. The Iceland U16 wing finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists in 34 minutes — a near-perfect offensive night on 7-of-8 shooting, including 3 of 4 from three, and a clean 2 of 2 at the line. He added 3 steals and 3 blocks, posting only 2 turnovers across the game. Iceland U16 dismantled Montenegro U16 91–69 in the quarter-finals, building the kind of lead that left no room for a late run. Haraldsson Katrinarson's efficiency — 87.5 per cent from the field — was the engine. He moved the ball with purpose (7 assists), crashed boards at both ends, and forced turnovers on the perimeter. For a player of 16, that's the kind of composed, all-around performance that shapes tournament outcomes. The 22-point margin reflected Iceland U16's control, and Haraldsson Katrinarson's hand in it was unmissable.
Radovic's 28.4-point average has become the central problem for every opponent at this U16 EuroBasket — and our GB side faces it head-on in Division B. The Montenegro forward is running at 104.6 TIB Efficiency, a stark margin above Elijah Imevbore's 48.8 despite the latter's own solid 17.2 PPG contribution. That gap tells the story: Radovic isn't just scoring; he's operating within an offence built around him, distributing at 3.2 assists per game on top of the scoring load. Imevbore, by contrast, has fewer creative outlets and sits deeper in the rotation — but his efficiency in transition and off-ball movement has been one of our GB team's anchors so far. This isn't a matchup where our defenders can afford to gamble on the perimeter. Radovic punishes that instantly. The task for our GB backcourt is to blunt the service into him early, force him into difficult catches, and make sure Imevbore has enough freedom to run the floor the other way. Tip-off in Gevgelija in three hours.
Great Britain fell short in the quarter-final, losing 73–83 to Bosnia and Herzegovina in overtime after a back-and-forth contest that swung decisively in the final period. Our GB side controlled the early exchanges, leading 12–6 after the first quarter and pushing clear to 34–25 at the break. Nathan Muleba was the engine, combining scoring and rebounding with typical authority. But the second half belonged to Bosnia and Herzegovina. A devastating 11-0 run in the third quarter flipped the momentum, and by the end of regulation the sides were level at 66–66, setting up an extra period neither could control until the final stretch. In overtime, Bosnia and Herzegovina outscored Great Britain 17–7 to seal a 10-point victory. Alem Elezovic led the charge with 28 points on efficient shooting (12/23 FG, 2/4 from three), while Pavle Koprivica added 22 points and 11 rebounds. For our GB team, Muleba's double-double of 26 points and 15 rebounds kept them competitive throughout, though inefficiency elsewhere—Nino Satha managed only 3/16 from the field despite five steals—left them short when points mattered most. The campaign ends here for both sides in Division B. A tough exit, but Muleba's performance at this level offers genuine encouragement for what's ahead.
Omerovic has been the standout performer in this tournament — 26.2 points and 5.2 assists per game on a 90.6 TIB efficiency rating that sits well clear of most U16 competition. The Bosnia and Herzegovina guard will arrive with genuine momentum, and our GB side cannot afford to let him operate freely in transition or from three-point range. Elijah Imevbore, by contrast, has been the consistent threat on our end. Nineteen and a half points per game, solid playmaking at 1.5 assists, and a 60 TIB efficiency that reflects his importance to Great Britain's chances here. The matchup hinges on whether our GB can stay disciplined on the perimeter and force Omerovic into tough looks, whilst Imevbore keeps the offensive rhythm moving in spells when it matters most. This is a mid-tournament clash where both sides will be eyeing the next round. Bosnia and Herzegovina have shown real quality; we know what we're up against. Tip-off comes in about three hours.
Elijah Imevbore's 22 points and 9 rebounds steered our GB U16s past Estonia U16 77–69 in Skopje, anchoring a campaign that ends on the right side of the result. The forward shot 7 of 14 from the field—including 2 of 6 threes—and was reliable from the stripe at 6 of 10, adding 2 steals and 2 blocks across 22 minutes to earn player-of-the-game honours by our Efficiency rating. It was the sort of all-round contribution that would have given the squad something to build on through Group D. Three turnovers and four fouls—minor blemishes on an otherwise composed outing—barely dented what was a composed, efficient performance under pressure. The eight-point margin felt earned rather than fortunate. Imevbore's balance between scoring and rebounding, and his willingness to defend without fouling excessively, reflected the standard our GB squad has been chasing throughout the tournament.
Estonia led by 9 in the opening quarter, but our GB U16 found their rhythm on the glass and in transition to pull clear. The half ended 37–33, a five-point margin that masked the scrappiness: both sides were still finding their feet. The third quarter tilted decisively. Our GB extended their lead to 56–49 heading into the final stretch, and when Estonia refused to fold, a crisp 10-0 run in the fourth — running from 58–54 to 68–54 — proved the decisive moment. Estonia responded with a 15-point finish to make it close on the scoreboard, but our GB held firm for a hard-fought 77–69 victory. Elijah Imevbore carried the load: 22 points on 7 of 14 shooting, with 9 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Darko Agyapong supplied a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks), whilst Kyron Billyrose chipped in 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting. For Estonia, Kaur Otto Taldrik finished with a team-high 20 points on 9 of 20, though his three-point shot never fell; Tom Laurimaa added 15. Our GB's campaign in Division B ends on this eight-point win — a composed performance in the closing stages when the game was still live.
Ilija Radovic ran the show for Montenegro U16, finishing with 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists in 35 minutes as the hosts cruised past Ireland U16, 91–72, in Group A play at the Sports Hall "26th April" in Gevgelija. Radovic's efficiency was the difference. He shot 11 of 19 from the floor and a clean 6 of 6 from the free-throw line, adding 5 steals and 2 blocks while keeping his turnovers to just 2. The three-point shot (2 of 6) was the only area where his touch wavered; everywhere else, he was in control. The 19-point margin flattered neither team in particular — Montenegro's depth prevailed over a long stretch, and Radovic's all-around game, especially his ability to create off the dribble and defend multiple positions, made the difference down the stretch. It was the kind of performance that anchors a Group A win at this level.
Imevbore leads our GB charge against Martin's Estonia outfit in Division B clash. Elijah Imevbore has been the steady heartbeat of our GB side this tournament — 18.7 points per game on a 58.3 TIB Efficiency rating that sits comfortably above the field. He's moved the ball with precision too, averaging 1.3 assists, the sort of controlled playmaking you want from a prospect still building his game at this level. Estonia won't lack answers. Bert Martin has been their primary engine, averaging 20 points with a 52.8 efficiency mark and marginally more ball movement at 1.7 assists per game. He's the sort of forward who can impose himself on both ends if given space — our GB defence will need to be suffocating early to prevent him finding rhythm. This is tournament basketball where every possession carries weight. Whichever side's leading scorer controls the tempo and makes the right reads will likely dictate the terms. Imevbore's slight edge in efficiency suggests our GB scouts have spotted something in his consistency; Martin's extra scoring punch says Estonia believe they can outscore us if this becomes a shootout. Tip-off in three hours. Worth your attention.
Rumle Laulund made light work of our GB U16 defence, posting 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead Denmark to a 21-point victory in Skopje. The Denmark guard was efficient throughout — 2 of 3 from three — and added 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals across 26 minutes, a clinic in ball handling and decision-making that left plenty of gaps for his team-mates to exploit. Great Britain's U16 side could not find enough answers on either end of the floor in Group D. Denmark's ruthlessness in transition and their willingness to play through the high-pressure moments separated the teams in what proved a one-sided encounter, 84–63 the final scoreline. It is a heavy loss, but Group D still awaits. Our GB squad will look to respond with sharper defensive rotations and fewer careless possessions when they take to the court next.
Denmark's second-half suffocation dismantled our GB U16 side in Group D, racing to a commanding 84–63 Victor that never wavered once they seized control. Great Britain started well enough, leading by eight in the opening quarter. Denmark levelled by half-time at 37–35, then simply overwhelmed us through the third period, outscoring GB 28–19 to open up a decisive 11-point buffer. The fourth quarter was a formality; Denmark's defence tightened further, holding us to nine points and extending the margin to 21. Elijah Imevbore delivered a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds on 9/17 shooting, plus three blocks—enough to keep us afloat offensively—but our support cast struggled. Domas Martinkus managed 9 points on inefficient 4/12 work; Nathan Muleba chipped in 8 and 8 boards. None of it was enough to match Rumle Laulund's 23 points on 10/16 shooting and five steals, or Bertram Taudorf's 16 on 5/9 with three made threes. The collapse came in transition and defensive intensity. Denmark's 10–0 run early in the second quarter—flipping a 25–33 deficit to a 35–33 lead—set the tone: we couldn't sustain pressure or execute in bursts when it mattered. Our GB side face Estonia on Tuesday. Reset required.
Nathan Muleba's 17.5 points per game have landed him at the sharp end of the TIB Efficiency rankings, and our GB U16 squad will need precisely that kind of scoring punch when they face Denmark in Skopje tonight. The Danish counter sits in Rumle Laulund, a 16.5-point contributor whose playmaking has kept pace with his scoring. Laulund's 41.5 efficiency rating marks him as a composed floor operator in his own right—not simply a volume scorer. Denmark's structure has built around his court vision and touch over the tournament so far, making him far more than a one-dimensional threat. Muleba, though, brings a different intensity. His 67.8 rating suggests a player operating at a tier above in terms of shot selection and defensive reliability. At 0.5 assists per game, he is a manifestly perimeter-focused operator, which means Great Britain's offensive shape may well hinge on what happens around him rather than through him. The battle between these two will likely determine whether Denmark controls pace or whether our GB side dictates the terms. Both teams have shown enough to compete at this level; the edge, statistically, belongs to Muleba. Kick-off at the Boris Trajkovski Sports Centre in three hours.
Nathan Muleba's 16 points and 11 rebounds proved decisive as our GB U16 side edged Hungary U16 71–66 in a tight contest at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket Division B. The forward's work on both ends of the floor — three steals complemented his double-double — gave Great Britain the platform to hold off Hungary's late pressure. In a five-point finish, that kind of production from the glass and in transition defence was the difference. Muleba finished our efficiency rating's top performer. Next up for our GB U16 squad comes their next fixture in the tournament.
Great Britain U16 survived a second-half scare to edge Hungary U16 71–66 in a back-and-forth contest that stayed within one possession for the final two minutes. The Hungarians led by as much as 8 in the second quarter, building a 37–29 buffer at one stage. Our GB side clawed back methodically through the third, then seized control in the fourth with a decisive 9–0 run that flipped a 53–46 deficit into a 55–53 lead. The margin never stretched beyond 7, but it proved enough to hold firm down the stretch. Nino Satha led the scoring with 20 points on 6–14 shooting, including 3–7 from three. Nathan Muleba delivered a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, whilst Elijah Imevbore added 15 and 10 boards to anchor the glass. For Hungary, Bence Pecsi's all-round game—12 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists—went close to shifting momentum, but they couldn't quite finish. Great Britain's next test comes Monday against Denmark U16.