GB Under-16s Start Euro Campaign with Victory

Image credit: FIBA

Great Britain Under-16s made a winning start to their European Championships campaign with a 77-43 victory over Luxembourg in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Thursday.

James Vear’s side recovered from a slow start to power to an opening victory as they begin their quest for a third straight GB junior men’s promotion this summer.

Mate Okros top scored with a game-high 18 points – 17 of those in the first half – with Louis Norton-Cuffy adding 13 points as the only other player in double figures along with five steals.

Team captain Theo Hughes had seven points and eight rebounds, while Vasja Pandza handed out six assists.

Box score

Okros opened proceedings with a score from beyond the arc, but GB trailed by as many as eight at 7-15. GB began to settle and used a 13-0 run across quarters to take control before Okros scored the final eight points of the half to make it 33-20.

An 11-0 run in the third pushed the lead beyond 20 points and GB took a 53-31 advantage into the final 10 minutes.

GB continued to extend their lead with another strong quarter to wrap up a convincing win as all 12 players got onto the scoresheet.

Notes

– GB’s starters were Pandza, Shodunke, Okros, Sulaiman, Hughes
– GB return to action tomorrow when they take on Georgia at 6:30pm UK time

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