Ilias Van Hecke took over in the first half and our young Lions never let Czechia back into it. The 21-point, 6-rebound, 3-assist performance from Van Hecke set the tone early, and a 17-point halftime lead proved too much to overcome for the Czechs. Final score: 81–64.
It was the kind of dominant, two-way showing that moves games out of reach before the fourth quarter matters. Van Hecke's efficiency across the board — scoring off the dribble, moving the ball, defending with intent — gave our side control from start to finish. This is what a U18 tournament performance looks like when a prospect plays within the flow of the game rather than chasing numbers.
Next up for our boys: the closing round of group play.
Belgium's young Lions dominated Czechia in Division B play, cruising to an 81–64 win that was never in doubt after the opening minutes.
Our youngsters raced to a 28–18 first-quarter lead and never surrendered it. Czechia briefly threatened early (trailing 0–6 at one stage) but Belgium methodically expanded their cushion through the second and third quarters, leading 68–52 entering the final period. The fourth quarter saw our boys seal it with a devastating 12–0 run that turned a comfortable lead into a 20-point margin at its peak.
Aaron Ona Embo was the engine, posting 26 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds on efficient free-throw shooting (11/12 from the line), though his overall field-goal accuracy (6/20) showed Czechia's perimeter defense had moments of bite. Ilias Van Hecke proved far more reliable from deep, hitting 7 of 11 three-pointers for 21 points. Tim Waerniers contributed 17 points and 9 rebounds to control the glass.
Marek Houska led Czechia with 21 points on solid 9-of-16 shooting, but support dried up around him — no other Czech player reached double figures in a true bench effort.
Belgium moves forward with this commanding performance in hand.
Aaron Ona Embo has been unstoppable for our young Lions in Division B — 25.1 points per game on a 66.7 TIB Efficiency rating that sits well clear of the field. He'll face a sterner test of his scoring instincts tonight when Czechia U18 sends Marek Houska onto the floor.
Houska is the Czech orchestrator, threading 7.9 assists per game while chipping in 14.3 points of his own (58.5 TIB EFF). The mismatch is real: we have a volume scorer operating at elite efficiency; they have a floor general. It's the kind of personnel duel that tends to set the tone for entire stretches.
Belgium and Czechia tip off in just over three hours. Watch how our youngsters navigate the pressure on the perimeter.
Damjan Danev carried North Macedonia U18 through a losing effort against our GB side at FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B, finishing with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in the 83–73 defeat.
The North Macedonian guard was the lone consistent offensive threat for his team, shouldering much of the playmaking burden in a contest where Great Britain's defence ultimately proved too stern. His three steals underlined his appetite on the other end, though it was not enough to bridge the ten-point gap by the final buzzer.
Our GB U18 side controlled the second half sufficiently to secure the win—a statement of their defensive intensity rather than any collapse from Danev's end. He did his part; the margin simply grew too wide.
Great Britain U18 held off a determined North Macedonia side to claim a 10-point victory at FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B, earning a hard-fought 83–73 win after a contest that swung repeatedly through three quarters.
The opening half saw neither team gain decisive control. North Macedonia led 29–23 early, but our GB squad clawed back to level at 39–39 by the interval. The third quarter remained tightly contested at 54–54 before the decisive moment arrived in the fourth: a sharp 9-0 run pushed GB clear from 62–59 to 71–59, finally creating the breathing room needed to close out the result.
Emmanuel Ahamefule led the scoring effort with 16 points on solid 4-of-6 shooting from the field, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Alexander Ikechukwu Nwabueze provided efficient support off the bench, finishing 13 points on 4-of-5 shooting and an impressive 3-of-4 from three. Maxx Tjongondjoza chipped in 11 points. For North Macedonia, Damjan Danev matched Ahamefule's 16-point total on 7-of-11 efficiency, while Grigorij Gjorgjevikj distributed 10 assists alongside 14 points despite a more difficult shooting night.
GB's control of the fourth quarter proved the difference—a display of composure when the margin mattered most.
Grigorij Gjorgjevikj arrives at this Division B final with numbers that demand attention. The North Macedonia U18 playmaker has posted 47.1 TIB efficiency over recent outings, averaging 13.3 points and 5.8 assists—the kind of orchestration that has sustained his team through this tournament.
Our GB counter comes through Tristan Curran. At 28.9 TIB efficiency, he's averaging 11.9 points and 3.7 assists in current form. A solid platform, though the arithmetic favours Gjorgjevikj's influence in the half-court.
The wider test sits there plainly: can Great Britain's defence funnel Gjorgjevikj's playmaking into difficult angles, or will his comfort in transition overwhelm our rotations? Curran will need to be sharper in pick-and-roll situations if our GB are to control tempo. North Macedonia have built this run on offensive balance; we cannot afford to let it flow.
This tips off in three hours. Watch it unfold.
Aaron Ona Embo carried our young Lions through a narrow defeat in Kaunas, dropping 37 points on efficient shooting to nearly pull off the comeback against Poland U18. His 5 rebounds and 2 assists kept Belgium in the fight until the final minutes, but it was not enough: the scoreboard read 89–81 in Poland's favor.
The performance stands as a bright spot in an otherwise difficult result. Ona Embo's scoring load—nearly half of Belgium's total output—underlines how much the offense leaned on him down the stretch. He fought for possessions, hunted for his shot, and gave our boys every chance to level the score. That he did so against a Poland side that came prepared makes the effort all the more noteworthy.
Still, a loss is a loss, and two points of separation stings. Belgium will need to reset fast and tighten up the details that slipped away in this one. The work continues at this Division B stage.
Poland U18 held off a late rally from our young Lions to claim an 89–81 win in a back-and-forth Division B thriller that never settled until the final buzzer.
The Poles controlled the third quarter decisively, outscoring Belgium 28–21 to build a 12-point lead at 68–56. But our boys refused to fold. A one-possession game inside the final two minutes kept hope alive, yet Poland's experience in the closing stretch proved the difference. The first half had been a near-perfect chess match—seven lead changes and seven ties, with Belgium leading by as many as nine early on before Poland erased that deficit with a devastating 13–0 run in the second quarter to level at 40–40.
Aaron Ona Embo was unstoppable for Belgium, pouring in 37 points to lead all scorers. Christian Elocobe added 12 and Tom Kasongo contributed 10, but it wasn't enough to overcome August Chałupa's 24-point night for Poland or Hubert Swirydowicz's 18 points and seven rebounds.
Our young Lions showed genuine character in the comeback bid, yet missed opportunities in the fourth quarter cost them. Next up is Game for 3rd place.
Aaron Ona Embo arrives as the clear separator in this matchup.
Our young Lions' standout is running a 64.5 TIB Efficiency rating through recent games, averaging 23.2 points and 4.3 assists per outing. That kind of scoring load and creative flow at U18 level is rare — he's not just putting the ball in the basket, he's moving it and dictating tempo. Poland sends Hubert Swirydowicz, a solid contributor at 36.7 TIB EFF with 9.3 PPG, but the gulf in current form is stark.
This is a chance for Belgium to assert control early and often. The onus falls on Ona Embo to maintain that efficiency and set the tone defensively as well — youth tournaments are decided by which team's best player can wring out four or five consecutive stops in a row. Poland will need Swirydowicz to find secondary scoring and catch our Lions sleeping on movement, but the burden of proof rests elsewhere.
Tip-off in three hours. Watch it live.
Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel Agbason put up a commanding performance in the paint for Azerbaijan U18, finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks—a bruising individual effort that could not quite carry his side past our Great Britain team.
The Azerbaijani forward's dominance on the glass and rim protection proved costly for GB's attack throughout, yet Great Britain's defensive system held firm enough to secure a 67–55 victory in this Division B encounter. Agbason's work rate—particularly his six swats—made life difficult in the paint, but our GB squad's balance on both ends proved decisive.
For Azerbaijan, Agbason's rebounding prowess and shot-blocking will be the takeaway from a defeat that leaves work to do in the group. For Great Britain, this win underlines the squad's capacity to weather strong individual performances and emerge with control.
Great Britain held off a determined Azerbaijan side to secure a 67–55 victory in Division B action, though the scoreline flatters neither team's second-half execution.
Azerbaijan led by six early (15–9) and stayed competitive through three quarters, trailing only 46–40 at the midway point of the third. The decisive moment came in the fourth: our GB ripped off a 12–0 run from 49–49 to 61–49, a burst that put the game beyond reach despite Azerbaijan's late resistance. Ismayil Abdullayev and Ifeanyichukwu Emmanuel Agbason kept the hosts within touching distance throughout—Agbason in particular was a handful in the paint with 14 points and 15 rebounds—but shooting efficiency let them down when it mattered. Abdullayev finished 5 of 18 from the field.
Tristan Curran orchestrated our GB's offence with 17 points and 7 assists on solid splits (7/14 FG, 2/6 threes), while Emmanuel Ahamefule contributed 11 points and a pair of steals. TOBY GASS was another bright spot with 8 points, 7 rebounds and an eye-catching 6 steals, evidence of our GB's defensive intensity when locked in.
A hard-fought win, but one that exposed defensive lapses and inconsistent shooting stretches. Our GB will look to tighten up before their next fixture.
Agbason carries the load for Azerbaijan, averaging 15.7 points per game with a 79.7 TIB efficiency rating — a commanding presence that our GB side will need to contain early. Nwokolo leads the British effort at 7.2 PPG, though his 26.8 efficiency suggests there's room for him to impose himself more forcefully on the boards and in transition.
The matchup hinges on how much space Great Britain can afford Agbason in open court. Azerbaijan will look to run, and if our defence doesn't set quickly, his scoring burden — 1.3 assists per game notwithstanding — could become a one-man operation that stretches us thin. Nwokolo's task is simpler: stay active on both ends, limit turnovers, and trust the system rather than hunt for shots.
This is Division B territory, which means every possession carries weight. Tip-off in three hours.
Ilias Van Hecke kept our young Lions ahead when it mattered most. The Belgium U18 guard finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in a 69–61 win over Hungary U18 in FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B play, orchestrating the kind of defensive pressure that proved decisive in the final stretches. Van Hecke's ball pressure — those three steals stand out in a game decided by eight points — forced turnovers when Hungary needed clean possessions.
It was not a vintage offensive performance, but it was the kind of role-player game this stage demands: floor management, effort on the other end, the willingness to be the third or fourth option and not force it. In a tournament where young Lions need to find their rhythm across multiple games, Van Hecke's two-way consistency is exactly what builds wins.
Our youngsters move on with this one secured.
Belgium U18 held off a second-half Hungarian rally to secure an 8-point win in Division B play, 69–61..
Our boys were ruthless early. An 18-0 run in the opening quarter — sparked by a 3-2 deficit that became a 3-20 advantage — left Hungary chasing from the start. By the end of Q1, Belgium had built a 29–13 cushion. A quieter second quarter (6 points scored) allowed Hungary back in at 35–31 by half-time, but our youngsters regrouped in the third, extending the lead to 56–42. The fourth quarter remained close: Hungary outscored Belgium 17–12 as desperation defence tightened, and four lead changes made the closing minutes very tense.
Aaron Ona Embo carried the offensive load with 26 points along with 5 assists and 2 steals. Christian Elocobe added 12 points and 3 assists; Ilias Van Hecke chipped in 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. For Hungary, Vince Gaspar led with 15 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds, while Miklos Asztalos and Zalan Bartik each scored 11.
Belgium's next assignment Poland awaits... in the Semi-Finals!
Aaron Ona Embo comes in hot against Hungary. Our young Lion is posting 22.6 points and 4.2 assists per game — a TIB Efficiency rating of 64.7 that leads this matchup by a distance. Across the floor, Miklos Asztalos has been Hungary's anchor at 14.8 PPG with a 43.9 rating, but the gap in recent form is stark.
Belgium U18 has the sharper player on the floor tonight. Ona Embo's court vision and scoring touch have him operating at a different level to what Hungary can match through their own engine room. The question isn't whether our youngster can impose himself — it's whether Hungary can stay close enough to keep it competitive.
Tipoff is about one minute away. Follow live.
Andrew Nwokolo was our standout performer in a heavy defeat, finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds and a game-leading 6 steals as Great Britain U18 fell to Bosnia and Herzegovina U18 by 30 points at FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B.
The 6-steal haul underlined Nwokolo's defensive intensity on a night when Bosnia's offence overwhelmed us across the board. He was the bright spot in an otherwise difficult outing—active on both ends, willing to scrap for possessions even as the scoreline slipped away. That kind of effort and productivity in a lopsided loss warrants recognition; it's the foundation to build from.
The 94–64 margin tells its own story. We'll need significant improvements in both offensive execution and defensive discipline when we return to action.
Bosnia and Herzegovina arrived in Division B unbeaten and left no doubt why. Our GB U18s were overpowered from the opening possession, as their opponents built a 10-0 lead before we registered a point. The gulf widened steadily: 30–11 after one quarter, then 65–44 by halftime. Bosnia and Herzegovina's lead swelled to 30 in the fourth, and though we improved in the final frame, there was no serious threat to a thoroughly one-sided result.
The damage was done early. Our defence had no answer to Bosnia and Herzegovina's pace and spacing in the opening minutes, and the subsequent 19-point first quarter proved insurmountable. They controlled every possession thereafter, leading start to finish without the slightest wobble.
Dženis Hodovic led the way with 14 points on efficient shooting (4/8 FG, 4/6 from three), whilst Edin Preldzic and Malik Skalonjic anchored the boards with eight rebounds apiece. For GB, Andrew Nwokolo scraped together 14 points and a team-high six steals, and Alexander Ikechukwu Nwabueze grabbed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds—solid individual efforts in a heavy defeat.
Our GB side will look to reset quickly as the tournament moves forward.
Preldzic's 61.4 efficiency rating has made him Bosnia and Herzegovina's driving force at this U18 EuroBasket, averaging 16 points and 3.8 assists per game. Tristan Curran will need to operate at a different tempo to disrupt that rhythm — our GB forward is posting 12.6 PPG with 3.4 assists, but at 28.7 efficiency he's had to work considerably harder for his output.
This is a mismatch in form. Bosnia and Herzegovina's offence has run through Preldzic's decision-making, and Great Britain's defence will be tested early. Curran has the nous to make things difficult, yet the numbers suggest he'll be chasing the game rather than setting it.
Division B status means both sides are building, but one leaves this match significantly ahead. Tip-off in three hours.
Aaron Ona Embo posted an impressive stat line of 24 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block to steer Belgium U18 to a narrow 78-73 win over our GB U18 side in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket Division B.
This performance was a significant factor in the outcome, as Belgium U18's victory was largely built on Embo's ability to both score and create for his teammates. Our GB U18 team can take heart from a strong defensive effort, but ultimately, Embo's influence proved too great to overcome.
Moving forward, our GB U18 side will need to regroup and reassess ahead of their next fixture, with the aim of bouncing back from this defeat. For now, credit must go to Embo for a standout display that earned him the player of the game accolade.
Belgium U18 edged Great Britain U18 78-73 in a thriller that came down to the wire, with the outcome decided in the final minutes. Level after one, Belgium U18 blew it open with a 14-0 run in the second quarter, led by as many as 18, but Great Britain U18 battled back to make it a one-possession game inside the final two minutes. Aaron Ona Embo led the charge for our Lions with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block, supported by Tim Waerniers' 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block, and Christian Elocobe's 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Great Britain U18's top performers included Tristan Curran with 19 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists, Andrew Nwokolo with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist, and Emmanuel Ahamefule with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist 🏀.
