France U20 Women Win EuroBasket 2026, Dominating Israel in a Historic Final
France U20 Women’s make powerful statement in Euro Basket Finals Photo Credit: FIBA
The French U20 women’s national team are European champions. In Klaipeda, Lithuania, the Bleuettes delivered a dominant final against Israel, winning 79-66 to claim France’s 6th EuroBasket U20 Women’s title in history. From the opening tip, there was little doubt about who would be lifting the trophy.
🇫🇷 YOUR 2026 #U20EUROBASKET CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/JoAlEvPO8r
— FIBA Women's EuroBasket (@EuroBasketWomen) July 12, 2026
A Historic Start: France Opened 18-0
France set the tone immediately. The Bleuettes went on an 18-0 run to open the match, a statement that left Israel stunned and the outcome feeling inevitable early on. Aïnhoa Risacher hit two 3-points shots, Stella Colas and Inès Pitarch-Granel each added a 3-pointer, and France’s collective energy was simply too much for the Israeli side to handle.
Off the bench, Téa Cléante was electric. In just six minutes during the first quarter, she poured in 10 points, finishing the game with 19 on 4/4 shooting, including 2/2 from 3-points range. Her aggression in the paint, alongside Lana Bentoumi‘s physical presence, helped France control the interior throughout.
France started STRONG 🤯#U20EuroBasket x @ffbasketball pic.twitter.com/2tUxpYq7Po
— FIBA Women's EuroBasket (@EuroBasketWomen) July 12, 2026
Sarah Cissé, however, was the player of the night — and of the entire tournament. The center finished with 15 points and a staggering 23 rebounds, including 6 crucial points in the final two minutes before halftime that extended France’s lead at a pivotal moment. She was named Tournament MVP, a well-deserved recognition for a performance that defined the final.
Discipline and Dominance in the Second Half
Israel’s Gal Raviv did everything she could to keep her team alive. The guard finished with 29 points in the final — part of a remarkable 28-point average across the tournament — and gave France’s defense real problems. But it was never enough to threaten the outcome seriously.
In the second half, France managed the game with composure and discipline. The Bleuettes limited second chances, dominated the glass with a final rebounding edge of 49-36, and relied on their physicality to close out the win. Israel’s offense, heavily dependent on Raviv, could not find the consistency needed to mount a real comeback.
The final score, 79-66, reflected France’s superiority across all four quarters. Coach Xavier Nogueira’s side never let the game slip, even when their own offense turned irregular in the closing stages.
A Generation That Keeps on Winning
This title is the crowning achievement of an exceptional generation. Born in 2006 and 2007, these players have now won three consecutive age-group European championships: Euro U16 in 2022, Euro U18 in 2024, and now Euro U20 in 2026. It is also a redemption of sorts for French women’s basketball at this level, after losing in the semifinals the previous year and missing out on the title.
For Israel, reaching the final was itself historic — the first time the Israeli U20 women’s team had ever played for the European title. Raviv’s performances throughout the tournament will be remembered regardless of the result.
France, however, are the champions. And this generation is not done yet.
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