🏀 France U16 Crushes Spain 95-69 After Quarter-Final Loss, Eyes U17 World Cup Spot
The France U16 national basketball team responded in emphatic fashion to their heartbreaking quarter-final defeat against Italy, delivering a resounding 95-69 win over Spain on Friday in Tbilisi, Georgia. This dominant victory not only restored confidence in the squad but also puts the Bleuets just one win away from securing a crucial ticket to the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026.
Coming off a last-second 76-73 loss to Italy that denied them a place in the semi-finals, the French side entered the classification match determined to bounce back. Their performance against Spain was nothing short of exceptional, especially in the second half, where they outscored the Spanish 50-30 after leading by just six points at the break (45-39).
🔥 Nathan Soliman Leads with Career-High Performance
Leading the charge was Nathan Soliman, the standout forward from PĂ´le France. The 22-year-old put up his best statistical outing of the tournament with 26 points, 18 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks, earning a stellar 37 efficiency rating. His presence on both ends of the floor proved decisive, particularly in the third quarter where France pulled away.
Soliman’s dominance inside the paint was perfectly complemented by Aaron Towo-Nanzi, another highly regarded prospect from the 2009 generation. The guard recorded 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists, showing off his playmaking abilities and versatility.
Despite the convincing win, France struggled from three-point range, shooting just 14% (3-of-21) from beyond the arc. However, their physicality, aggressive rebounding, and defensive pressure compensated for the lack of outside shooting, holding Spain to under 70 points.
🇫🇷 France One Win Away from U17 World Cup Berth
The French U16s will now face the winner of the Turkey vs. Latvia matchup in the 5th-place playoff game on Saturday. The stakes are high: only the top five European teams from this competition qualify for the FIBA U17 World Cup 2026, making this upcoming match France’s final opportunity to secure their spot.
France has participated in the last six consecutive editions of the U17 World Cup since 2012 and will be eager to keep that impressive streak alive. A win on Saturday would not only secure qualification but also end the tournament on a positive note after the disappointment of missing the semi-finals.
With young talents like Soliman and Towo-Nanzi stepping up at crucial moments, France will go into the final classification match full of confidence and momentum.
