Andorra U18 Stun Malta U18 in Division C Thriller

Andorra U18 produced a remarkable turnaround to defeat Malta U18 82–66 in the Europe U18 Championship Division C on July 26, 2026. Trailing early, Andorra used a sensational second-half surge to overwhelm their hosts and claim a vital group-stage victory.

First Quarter: Malta Takes Control

Malta U18 came out with energy and precision, building a 20–14 lead after the first quarter. Their point guard orchestrated the offense brilliantly, finding cutters and hitting mid-range jumpers. Malta’s defense also forced five early turnovers, and they stretched the lead to 38–30 by halftime.

The Andorra Response

The break clearly changed the game. Andorra U18 returned with heightened defensive intensity, switching to a 2-3 zone that clogged Malta’s driving lanes. Offensively, they began to exploit mismatches in the post, and their shooting guard caught fire from beyond the arc, hitting three consecutive threes to ignite a 19–4 run in the third quarter. By the end of the period, Andorra led 60–50.

Malta never recovered. In the fourth quarter, Andorra’s confidence grew as they continued to push the pace. Their ball movement was crisp, and they outscored Malta 22–16 in the final frame to seal the 16-point win.

Standout Performers

• Andorra U18 – Leading scorer: No. 5 (24 points, 6 assists, 4 steals). He shot 5-of-9 from three-point range.
• Malta U18 – Top performer: No. 11 (18 points, 7 rebounds). Malta’s bench contributed only 8 points.

Division C Implications

Andorra’s victory places them in a strong position to challenge for a top seed in Division C, while Malta must now battle to stay in contention. The game was a classic example of how adjustments after halftime can completely alter a match’s outcome. Both teams will take valuable lessons into their next appearances.