China U16's championship run showcased a masterclass in balanced basketball. Their 86 points per game came through exceptional shooting efficiency - 65% on two-pointers and 44.3% from three-point range. This offensive versatility proved crucial in tight games, particularly in their 103-97 double-overtime semifinal against Hong Kong and the 82-74 finals victory over Lithuania. What set China apart was their ability to adapt their offensive strategy based on opponent matchups, demonstrated by their varied scoring approaches in the knockout stages.

China's coach WelkinLiu remained humble about their victory: "It's really not an easy victory! To be honest, the Chinese team does not have an advantage in U16 strength. You can see that we lost to Poland in the group stage. What impressed me the most was the match against our Hong Kong compatriots in the semi-finals, where we fought hard for two extra hours! In the end, we won the competition by luck."

Silver Lining

Lithuania U16's tournament-leading 88 points per game wasn't just about volume scoring - it was built on the tournament's second best three-point shooting at 47.3%. Their offensive system created high-percentage shots through excellent ball movement (22.1 assists per game). Coach Sidiav's commented that "it was tough championship. It's a bit sad, that we lost both close games against China. In the finals, we managed to do the come back but sadly, we could not break through."

Bronze Achievement

Poland U16's success under coach d0man exemplified modern youth basketball development. Their 87.8 points per game came with remarkable efficiency - 64.8% on two-pointers and 47.7% from three. "The tournament was going well for our team," d0man reflected, highlighting how their preparation through sparring matches helped identify unexpected contributors. Their defensive versatility, anchored by Konrad Mitus's shot-blocking presence, provided a foundation for their transition offense.

Notable Performances

The tournament's most compelling story was Taiwan's unexpected semifinal run, led by MVP Ching-Lun Hsiau. Despite lower shooting percentages (58.7% on two-pointers, 23.3% from three), they maximized their opportunities through superior individual performances. Hsiau's tournament average of 22.2 points showcased his ability to create offense against elite competition.

Tournament Reflections

Hong Kong's impressive run to fourth place was celebrated by their coach kenlee1201: "We made a remarkable comeback in the group stage by avenging our earlier loss to France and advancing to the quarterfinals in second place... Next, we faced the top-seeded China team, and the game was a nail-biter all the way through. It wasn't until the second overtime that we narrowly fell short."

France's coach Whiplaäsh maintained a positive outlook: "Our roster was able to compete until playoffs... It was our goal at the beginning, so I'm happy! Victories against Spain and Italy have a special pleasure".

Spain's coach rembis_s offered honest reflection: "This championship was so strong, I have it one from the best team in national U16, but i its was like a fiasco. I didn't have any shooters, have it some high guys with good shooting defense, but with low jumping and low defense iq."

The tournament showcased exceptional youth talent and strategic coaching, with China ultimately proving their superiority through consistent performance across all stages of competition.