ALBANIA STUN GEORGIA 58-57 TO REACH THE FIBA U16 WOMEN'S EUROBASKET DIVISION C FINAL

VALLETTA, Malta – Albania are through to the Final of the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket Division C after a dramatic 58-57 victory over Georgia in a thrilling semi-final on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The Red and Blacks held their nerve in a tense defensive battle to secure a place in the championship game, moving just one win away from the European title.

With the victory, Albania will now compete for the gold medal, while Georgia will battle for the bronze medal.

Score by Quarters Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Albania 18 11 16 13 58 Georgia 17 11 13 16 57 Byberi Leads Albania to Historic Final

The undisputed star of the game was Helena Byberi, who produced another sensational performance for Albania. The talented guard finished with a game-high 26 points in over 38 minutes on the floor while adding 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 8 steals and 1 block.

Byberi's relentless defensive pressure constantly disrupted Georgia's offense, and despite facing heavy defensive attention throughout the contest, she delivered the biggest plays when Albania needed them most.

Another outstanding contributor was Antea Filopati, who recorded an impressive double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds, while also distributing 7 assists and collecting 6 steals. Her leadership and composure proved invaluable during the closing minutes.

For Georgia, Mariami Tsertsvadze fought tirelessly, finishing with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals, but her efforts were ultimately not enough to prevent Albania from reaching the final.

A Defensive Battle Until the Final Buzzer

The semi-final lived up to expectations as one of the most competitive games of the tournament.

Neither team was able to build a comfortable advantage, with every possession carrying enormous importance. Albania managed to stay narrowly in front for most of the contest, but Georgia refused to back down and mounted a late comeback that kept the outcome uncertain until the final seconds.

The Albanian defense stood tall when it mattered most, forcing crucial stops in the closing moments to preserve the one-point advantage and send the bench into celebration.

One Win Away from Glory

With the victory, Albania advances to the FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket Division C Final, where they will fight for the European championship.

The young Albanian squad has impressed throughout the tournament with its determination, defensive intensity and team spirit. Now, just one game separates them from making history by lifting the Division C trophy.

Georgia, despite the heartbreaking defeat, will have another opportunity to finish the tournament on a high note when they compete for the bronze medal.

For Albania, however, the dream is still alive. One final challenge remains before they can be crowned FIBA U16 Women's EuroBasket Division C champions.