Armenia Under-18 81–89 Andorra Under-18 | Europe U18 Championship Division C

In a thrilling Group Phase encounter at the Europe U18 Championship Division C, Andorra Under-18 held off a determined Armenia Under-18 side to secure an 89–81 victory on July 22, 2026. The result keeps Andorra firmly in contention for the top spots in the group, while Armenia will look to regroup after a valiant effort that came up just short in the final quarter.

Match Overview

Both sides entered the contest knowing the importance of every game in Division C, where promotion and survival are decided by fine margins. Andorra started with purpose, establishing a double-digit lead midway through the second quarter behind sharp outside shooting and aggressive offensive rebounding. Armenia, however, refused to wilt. The Armenian side closed the first half on a 9–2 run to cut the deficit to just six points at the break, setting the stage for a compelling second half.

Second-Half Swing

Armenia came out of the locker room with renewed energy. A 10–0 run early in the third quarter gave the home side its first lead of the game, electrifying the crowd and shifting the momentum. Andorra looked rattled momentarily, committing three consecutive turnovers that Armenia turned into fast-break points. But Andorra’s coaching staff made a crucial adjustment, switching to a zone defense that slowed Armenia’s penetration and forced contested perimeter shots.

Andorra reclaimed control late in the third quarter and carried a narrow 64–61 lead into the final period. The fourth quarter belonged to Andorra’s veteran backcourt pair, who combined for 14 points in the last ten minutes and calmly sank free throws down the stretch to seal the win.

Key Performers

• Andorra: The team’s leading scorer finished with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including four three-pointers. He also contributed 6 rebounds and 4 assists, showing the all-around game that makes him one of the tournament’s standout guards.
• Armenia: A 6’8” forward was the focal point of the offense, pouring in 22 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for a double-double. His ability to score in the post and stretch the floor with mid-range jumpers kept Armenia in the game until the final minutes.
• Bench Impact: Andorra’s bench outscored Armenia’s reserves 28–14, a decisive factor that allowed the visitors to maintain energy levels through the final quarter.

Tactical Story

The game was a contrast of styles. Armenia preferred a slower, half-court approach, feeding the ball into the post and running pick-and-rolls to create mismatches. Andorra countered with pace and space, pushing the ball in transition and using ball screens to create open looks from deep. Andorra connected on 11 three-pointers compared to Armenia’s 5, a 18-point difference from beyond the arc that proved insurmountable despite Armenia’s edge in points in the paint.

Turnovers also played a role: Armenia committed 17 turnovers to Andorra’s 11, with many coming in the decisive fourth quarter when Andorra’s full-court press disrupted Armenia’s rhythm.

Table and Tournament Impact

With the win, Andorra improves to 2–1 in group play and remains in strong position to qualify for the knockout stages. Armenia drops to 1–2 but still has a path forward if it can secure victories in its remaining group games. Both teams will now turn their attention to upcoming fixtures, with Andorra facing a crucial test against the group leader and Armenia aiming to bounce back against a lower-ranked opponent.

The Europe U18 Championship Division C continues to showcase the depth of young basketball talent across the continent, and this contest was a compelling reminder of the passion and intensity that defines international youth competition.