Spain's U18 women's basketball team defeated France 82-46 in the European Championship final in Madrid, securing back-to-back gold medals with a 36-point margin. The 2026 FIBA U18 Women's EuroBasket ran from 1 to 9 August. Spain allowed an average of 38.3 points per game and won its matches by an average margin of 45.3 points.
Somto Okafor led the scoring in the final with 17 points, while María Carbó contributed 12. Shaila Nde recorded 10 rebounds, and Ada Toribio led Spain's playmaking with five assists. Okafor's impact earned her the tournament MVP award, making her the fourth Spanish player to receive the honor in the junior category. Leticia Romero and Ángela Salvadores had won it before her, as had Sara Okeke.
The final tipped off at 20:30. Spain and France reached the game after semifinal victories over Serbia, 79-56, and Finland, 82-62, respectively. Spain imposed its rhythm from the outset, building a lead and keeping control at both ends of the court. Its defense repeatedly frustrated the French attack, while the offense capitalized on fast breaks and precise ball movement.
FIBA, the competition's governing body, maintains team and player records for the tournament, including game-by-game entries. Spain's defensive performance showed in its reported average of 38.3 points conceded per game, while its average winning margin reached 45.3 points. The Spanish women's national team, preparing for the World Cup in Berlin, closely followed the young players' progress.
Spain's latest triumph adds to its tradition of success in youth basketball and its reputation for developing elite players. The achievement comes as Spanish athletes make headlines across sports. Recently, Rafa Jódar advanced to the last 16 at the Canadian Masters, a result covered in detail in this report on Spanish tennis progress abroad.
Spain's U18 women's team will look ahead to future international competitions, with the current generation already drawing attention from senior national selectors. The 36-point win over France underlined the depth and quality of Spanish women's basketball. The focus now shifts to the World Cup, where many of these players may eventually make their mark on the global stage.
Spain has consistently ranked among Europe's leading nations in women's basketball, backed by a strong youth-development infrastructure and a history of success at junior and senior levels. The latest gold medal strengthens that reputation and highlights the role of its training programs and scouting networks. As attention turns to Berlin, expectations will be high for continued Spanish success.
