The Lithuania U18 Women’s national team opened their FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division B campaign with a hard-fought 71-64 victory over Greece U18 Women on August 8, 2026. In a game that balanced youthful energy with tactical discipline, Lithuania leaned on a strong fourth-quarter push to pull away from a resilient Greek side that had led for much of the middle periods.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams showed why Division B basketball at this level is so competitive. Greece came out with aggressive full-court pressure, forcing Lithuania into early turnovers and building a slim cushion in the first quarter. Lithuania answered with better ball movement and a more patient half-court offense, keeping the margin tight throughout the first half. The two sides traded leads seven times before Lithuania finally seized control in the fourth.

Key Moments

• Greece’s fast start: Greece jumped out to an 18-14 lead after the first quarter, converting three quick transition baskets off Lithuanian miscues.
• Lithuania’s response: A 10-2 run in the second quarter, capped by a corner three-pointer, gave Lithuania their first real breathing room of the game.
• Fourth-quarter surge: With the score locked at 52-52 entering the final period, Lithuania opened the fourth on a 12-3 run, anchored by strong rebounding and two consecutive and-one finishes.
• Free-throw stability: Lithuania converted 9-of-11 from the line in the last five minutes to ice the game, while Greece missed three crucial attempts down the stretch.

Tactical Story

Greece’s defensive intensity created scoring opportunities early, but their reliance on perimeter jumpers became costly as the game wore on. Lithuania, by contrast, established a clear interior presence after halftime. Their forwards were relentless on the offensive glass, generating second-chance points that wore down the Greek frontcourt. Lithuania also switched effectively on screens, limiting Greece’s ability to attack the basket in the half court.

The key adjustment came from Lithuania’s coaching staff in the third quarter. After Greece’s guards found success in pick-and-roll situations, Lithuania began showing hard on screens and forcing the ball toward the sidelines. That shift disrupted Greece’s rhythm and led to a string of rushed shots, setting the stage for Lithuania’s decisive fourth-quarter run.

Standout Players

For Lithuania, the combination of perimeter shooting and interior toughness proved decisive. Their starting forward led all scorers with 22 points and hauled in 11 rebounds, including five on the offensive end. The point guard added 14 points and six assists, controlling the tempo during the crucial final stretch. Greece was led by a sharp-shooting wing who finished with 19 points, but received limited support from the bench, which contributed only 11 points.

Impact on the Championship

The win gives Lithuania a 1-0 start in the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division B, an important result in a pool where every game carries weight for qualification. Greece will look to bounce back quickly, knowing that a loss in their opener puts added pressure on their remaining group fixtures. Both teams showed enough quality to suggest they will be in the mix for the knockout rounds, but Lithuania’s balanced roster and clutch execution make them an early team to watch.