Spain Falls Short of Bronze After Proud EuroBasket Campaign, 69-74

Spain's U18 Men's team finished fourth at the EuroBasket after losing to France in the bronze medal game. Víctor García's squad fought back from 15 points down to within one possession in the final minutes but couldn't complete the comeback.

Spain showed character once again in the tournament's final game. France controlled the pace from the start and capitalized on their shooting to build a lead that reached 15 points midway through the second quarter (20-35). However, the Spanish national team never stopped believing and managed to cut the deficit before halftime.

After the break, Víctor García's team continued to grow. Their defense intensified and Spain gradually chipped away at the deficit, entering the final quarter firmly in contention. With just minutes remaining, the scoreboard showed a tight 62-64, leaving everything to play for. In the closing stretch, several key moments and France's accuracy from the free-throw line ultimately decided the game.

Hugo Alonso delivered Spain's most complete performance. The point guard finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and a rating of 23, leading the team on both ends of the floor. Diego Niebla was once again the primary offensive weapon with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Chiek Diallo contributed 10 points in the paint.

Spain concludes its EuroBasket campaign in fourth place after a high-level tournament, reaching the semifinals and competing until the final minute for a medal. A tournament that once again confirms the potential of a generation that has known how to overcome every difficulty and has fought until the end in every game.