U-18 European Championship: Italy Defeated by Slovenia in the Final; Niang’s Efforts Not Enough
The Under-18 National Team’s European Championship comes to a close with a silver medal and heads held high, as the Azzurri were forced to concede defeat to a flawless Slovenian team throughout all 40 minutes of the final in Trento (71-88). But beyond the result of the final game, what remains in everyone’s memory is the image of an exceptional group: a team that, over these nine days, knew how to endure, fight, and overcome every obstacle with boundless heart. This second-place finish is not a point of arrival but a starting point, and it serves as a reward for the character of a national team that made us dream.
It is the fifth medal won by the Men’s Youth Division in the last four years: in 2023, silver at the Under-16 European Championship; in 2024, silver at the Under-17 World Championship; in 2025, gold at the Under-20 European Championship and bronze at the Under-18 European Championship. Today’s top scorer was Cheickh Niang with 27 points. For the European champions, Stefan Joksimovic scored 24 points and Lukas Bojovic added 21.
Prior to today, Italy’s all-time record at the Under-18 European Championships stood at 14 medals: 1 gold, 4 silver, and 9 bronze. The pinnacle of Italy’s history in the tournament came in 1990, on the courts of Groningen and Emmen. On four occasions, Italy came close to the top step of the podium, having to settle for the silver medal (1972, 1984, 1988, 1992). There were four consecutive bronze medals in 1964, 1966, 1968, and 1970, followed by one in 1974; the Azzurri then returned to the third step of the podium in 1986, 2005, and 2016. Last year in Belgrade, the bronze medal was won by the team coached by Coach Sodini.
FIP President Giovanni Petrucci, who was present at the BTS Arena in Trento to support the Azzurri, said: “A great result, an extraordinary run that concluded in front of more than 3,000 people. Well done to everyone—the staff and the team. Sincere congratulations to Slovenia; there’s no doubt about their victory. And to the Italian coaches, I want to say: let our boys play—they deserve it.”
The 2027 Under-19 World Championship will be held in Pardubice (Czech Republic); Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, and Germany qualified from the European Championship in Trentino, while Latvia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria were relegated to Division B. Cheickh Niang was named to the European Championship’s All-Tournament Team, alongside Hugo Yimga (France), Diego Niebla (Spain), Leonard Kroger (Germany), and Stefan Joksimovic (Slovenia), who was named the tournament’s MVP.
Coach Sodini’s analysis: “I would have loved for us to finish this journey by showing the same spirit that carried us through every single game of the tournament. We weren’t able to do that, and we must give full credit to Slovenia, to whom we extend our most sincere congratulations. Once we’ve had time to reflect, we’ll congratulate ourselves on the splendid silver medal we won, and we’ll thank the city of Trento for its hospitality and everyone who supported us: the atmosphere was truly extraordinary. It’s clear that, right now, there’s a bit of bitterness, but I’m immensely proud of my players, from the first to the last: from the 18 athletes who began this adventure to my staff, and to everyone who contributed. There are so many people to thank, and there will certainly be a way to do so. Today, even with a touch of regret, we choose to proudly cherish everything extraordinary that we’ve managed to build.”
