Turkey punched their ticket to the championship final at the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship after an impressive 63-56 Semi-Final win against Germany behind Mahmut Acikgoz’s big performance of 31 points.

This win ensures Turkey to their second consecutive U23 World Championship Final, the last they made in 2017 in Toronto, Canada.

Japan solidified their spot in the gold medal game against Turkey, in a heart-stopping victory against Spain 51- 53. Spain went into the semi-final favourites following a 19-point win over Japan in the group stages. Again, it was Japan’s high-intensity defense that frustrated Spain, and in the dramatic final dramatic moments, Japan held on to clinch a place in the final for the first time since 2005.

History is set to be made tomorrow as neither Japan nor Turkey have ever won a U23 World Championship.

DAY 10 SCHEDULE – FINALS DAY

09:00 – 7-8 Place – Israel v Brazil
11:00 – 5-6 Place – USA v Australia
13:15 – 3-4 Place – Germany v Spain
15:30 – Final – Turkey v Japan

Follow all the action from the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship 

Photo Credit: Shingo ITO – X-1