England U18s To Remain in Division A After Ukraine Victory

By Sam Neter on July 26, 2013

England Under-18s have ensured the team will get at least one more summer in Division A after beating Ukraine 71-58 in their opening classification game at the European Championships in Latvia on Friday afternoon.

It means their first year in Europe’s premier competition will be seen as a success, having already made noise with a huge opening round victory over Spain, and now guaranteed no worse than a 12th place finish.

The victory marks the third time England have beaten Ukraine this year, once in preparation games and once in the first round of the Europeans last week.

Luke Nelson had 19 points, 4 assists and 3 steals, whilst big man Kingsley Okoroh had his best game of the tournament with a 16 point, 15 rebound double double. Jules Dang Akodo joined them in double figures with 11, adding 5 assists.

England now face the Czech Republic on Saturday to decide whether their final game of the tournament on Sunday will be for 9th or 11th position.

Box score.

Image Credit: FIBA Europe/Martin Silis

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