Recap

In the opening game of the FIBA U16 Eurobasket Division C championship held in Tirana, Albania, Moldova emerged victorious over Malta with a final score of 72-61.

Malta saw Kai Fabri emerge as top scorer of the day with an impressive 40 points, showcasing his versatility and scoring ability from various positions on the court. Fabri’s knack for creating scoring opportunities, whether through driving layups or well-executed jump shots, kept Malta competitive throughout the game.

In the opening quarter of the game, Moldova took control early with a strong defensive showing and effective scoring. Moldova’s Ivan Grabciuc showcased his prowess with a series of aggressive plays, including a driving layup and a key steal that stifled Malta’s offensive efforts. Meanwhile, Alexei Svetenco contributed with precise shooting, extending Moldova’s lead. Malta struggled to find rhythm, evident from multiple turnovers and missed opportunities, despite a late surge led by Fabri’s three-point shot. As the quarter ended, Moldova held a significant lead of 17-9, demonstrating their early dominance on both ends of the court.

The second quarter saw Moldova maintain their dominance over Malta, extending their lead with solid defensive plays and efficient scoring. Moldova’s Svetenco and Grabciuc continued to be pivotal, contributing crucial points and rebounds. Malta struggled after turnovers and missed opportunities despite sporadic scoring from Fabri. Moldova’s defensive prowess was highlighted by multiple blocks and steals, which limited Malta’s chances to close the gap. As the quarter ended, Moldova had commanded a lead of 36-23, showcasing their strategic execution and resilience. Malta faced an uphill battle in the second half to turn the tide in their favour.

After the change of ends, Malta mounted a spirited comeback effort to reduce Moldova’s lead, ending the period with the score at 55-50. Nicholas Zammit and Kyle Galea showcased their offensive prowess, contributing crucial points and assists. Grabciuc of Moldova maintained composure despite missed free throws, scoring from the field to keep his team ahead. Defensive efforts were intense, with turnovers and steals influencing the flow of play. Malta’s strategic timeouts and effective foul drawing played a pivotal role in closing the gap, setting up an intriguing final quarter as both teams vie for dominance.

In a closely contested fourth quarter, Moldova maintained their lead to secure victory over Malta in an intense basketball encounter. The rubber began with both teams showing defensive resilience, as Malta’s Fabri attempted to drive through Moldova’s defence but missed a crucial layup early on. Svetenco capitalised on the offensive end with a series of successful drives, adding to Malta’s defensive challenges. Despite Malta’s efforts to narrow the gap with Kai Fabri’s three-point shots and defensive steals, Moldova’s Grigori Musuc’s effective free throw shooting and defensive rebounds secured the win. Moldova’s robust defence, highlighted by Grabciuc’s pivotal blocks and Artiom Serbin’s strategic fouls, restricted Malta’s scoring opportunities. The game concluded with Moldova’s Mihail Parada showcasing his offensive prowess, sealing the victory with a late layup amidst Malta’s defensive efforts to regain possession.