JERUSALEM, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Hosts Isreal and Spain secured their spots in the final of FIBA Under-20 European Basketball Championship to be held on Monday in the coastal city of Tel Aviv.
Israel advanced after beating France 81-70 in the semifinals on Saturday at the drive-in arena in Tel Aviv.
France started strongly, romping to a 11-0 lead, but Israel overturned the score 20-15 by the end of the first quarter.
After a 35-35 tie at halftime, Israel gained a slight advantage at the end of the third quarter 54-50. Last crushing minutes secured the home team's victory and the ticket to the final.
Israeli star Deni Avdija finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Eidan Alber added 20 points and six rebounds. France's Ludovic Beyhurst scored 16 points, not enough for his team to win the game.
In the other semifinal earlier on Saturday, Spain had an impressive victory over Germany 80-62.
Sergi Martinez Costa of Spain finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while teammate Carlos Alocen also contributed 18 points.
