The Lithuania U20 Women’s national team delivered a commanding performance on July 11, 2026, to defeat Turkey U20 Women 80-69 in the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship Division A. The match, played at an electric venue, saw Lithuania control the tempo from the second quarter onward, handing Turkey a tough loss in the group stage.

Match Overview

Both teams entered the contest with high energy, but it was Lithuania that established authority early in the second period. After a closely fought first quarter, the Lithuanian defense tightened, forcing Turkey into difficult shots and turning steals into fast-break points. By halftime, Lithuania had built a double-digit lead that proved insurmountable.

Turkey fought back in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to single digits behind aggressive drives to the basket. However, Lithuania responded with a decisive run in the final period, stretching the margin back to double figures and sealing the 80-69 victory.

Key Moments

• First quarter stalemate: The opening period ended 18-16 in favor of Lithuania, with both sides exchanging baskets.
• Lithuania’s second-quarter surge: A 12-3 run early in the second quarter gave Lithuania a 30-19 lead, forcing a Turkish timeout.
• Turkey’s third-quarter rally: Turkey opened the second half with an 8-2 spurt, cutting the lead to 52-48, their closest margin since early in the game.
• Lithuania’s knockout blow: Back-to-back three-pointers from Lithuania’s backcourt sparked a 14-4 run to start the fourth quarter, making the score 72-56 with five minutes remaining.

Standout Players

For Lithuania, the backcourt duo of point guard Ieva Petrauskaitė and shooting guard Emilija Jonkute combined for 38 points. Petrauskaitė orchestrated the offense with 16 points and 7 assists, while Jonkute added 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including four three-pointers. Center Greta Mikutaitė dominated the glass with 12 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Turkey was led by forward Elif Yılmaz, who scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Guard Zeynep Koc also contributed 16 points, but Turkey struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 25% from three-point range.

Tournament Implications

The victory improved Lithuania’s record to 2-1 in the group stage, placing them in a strong position to advance to the knockout rounds. Turkey, now 1-2, faces a must-win final group game to keep their hopes alive in Division A. The loss also highlighted Turkey’s need to improve perimeter defense after conceding 10 three-pointers.

With the tournament field narrowing, both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies. Lithuania, showing depth and composure, is emerging as a dark horse contender, while Turkey must regroup quickly to avoid an early exit.