Italy crowned European Under-20 champions, defeating Lithuania in the final.

Italy has achieved a triumph in basketball. The national team won the European Under-20 Championship, defeating Lithuania 83-66 in the final in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. This is their third victory in the category, following those in 2013 and 1992 (but back then, it was at the Under-22 level).

The Azzurri's sprint start

Italy built their victory on a sprint start in the first quarter: 23 points. Assui and Torresani extended their lead to +10 (28-18) in the 13th minute, and by midway through the quarter the gap was +12 (32-20). Lithuanian coach Darius Songaila (European champion in 2003 and a player in the famous 2004 Olympic semifinal against Italy) tried everything to come back, but Italy held firm even under the basket. A first half to remember ends 42-26 for the Azzurri (13 points for Ferrari and 10 for Torresani).

Lithuania starts the second half with a bang, but it's a triumph for the Azzurri

Lithuania came back with a determined streak and went on a 15-4 run in the first five minutes of the second half. They were back up by five (46-41), and it was time to grit their teeth. Coach Alessandro Rossi's inevitable timeout paid off. Torresani and Ferrari put Italy back up by ten (55-45) with two minutes left in the third quarter. The final ten minutes were therefore 60-48. Assui's three-pointer made it 71-57 with five minutes remaining, marking the point of no return for the Baltics' hopes, and Italy triumphed.

Italy-Lithuania 83-66 (23-17, 19-9, 18-22, 23-18)

Italy: Trucchetti, Assui 17, Valesin ne, Torresani 13, Atamah 6, Airhienbuwa ne, Marangon 8, Iannuzzi 4, Ferrari 26, Osasuyi 9. All: Rossi

Lithuania: Juzenas 3, Bancevicius 2, Rudaitis 2, Stonkus 15, Stunknys 4, Raupelis 16, Kocanas ne, Krizanauskas 2, Bieliauskas 17, Laurencikas 5, Zukauskas, Lesciauskas. All: Songaila