Greece U18 Women opened their FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Division B campaign in emphatic style on August 2, 2026, dismantling North Macedonia U18 Women 73-42 in a one-sided contest that showcased their defensive intensity and offensive balance from start to finish.

The match, played at 02:00 local time, was never truly competitive after the first quarter. Greece's pressure defense forced North Macedonia into difficult possessions throughout, and the Greeks translated those stops into easy transition baskets. By halftime, the margin had already grown beyond 20 points, and the second half became a formality as Greece continued to rotate deep into their bench while maintaining a high level of execution.

Greece's defensive stranglehold proves decisive

The key to Greece's dominant performance was their ability to limit North Macedonia's scoring options. North Macedonia managed just 42 points for the entire game, with long scoring droughts in both the second and third quarters. Greece's perimeter defense contested every shot, and their interior presence denied second-chance opportunities. This defensive effort allowed Greece to build a lead that North Macedonia never seriously threatened after the opening exchanges.

Offensively, Greece was efficient without forcing the issue. The team shared the ball well, generating high-quality looks from both the three-point line and the paint. A balanced scoring attack meant no single player had to carry the load, which will be an encouraging sign for the coaching staff as the tournament progresses.

North Macedonia's struggles and what lies ahead

For North Macedonia, the result is a harsh introduction to the level required at Division B. While they showed flashes of individual skill, particularly in transition and on drives to the basket, the collective execution was missing. Turnovers and rushed shot selection allowed Greece to extend their lead in transition, a common issue for young teams facing elite defensive pressure.

Despite the heavy defeat, North Macedonia can take positives from their resilience in the final stages, when the Greek starters had mostly been rested. The challenge now will be to regroup quickly and focus on their next group-stage match, where they will need to improve their shot selection and ball security to remain competitive.

Key takeaways from the Group Stage opener

• Greece's defense: Holding an opponent to 42 points showcases a team with tournament-winning ambitions.
• Bench contribution: Greece's ability to maintain intensity with substitutes is a major asset in a grueling championship schedule.
• North Macedonia's pace: The team struggled to find a rhythm, especially in half-court offense, and will need to address that in training.

The 31-point margin sends a clear message to the rest of the group: Greece U18 Women enter this FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Division B as one of the teams to beat. North Macedonia, meanwhile, will need to show significant improvement in their next outing to keep their knockout hopes alive.