The sixth edition of the European FIBA under 18 Championships for Men was held in Cardiff, Wales, in the past days. The six days of competition witnessed a good number of hard fought matches with nine countries fighting for the top spot.

Finally Scotland emerged as worthy winners after beating hosts Wales 86-62 in a highly combative game in the final which was decided only in the last quarter.

Malta finished in seventh place with two victories against San Marino and Azerbaijan in the week. Yet another local highlight in the tournament was in the refereeing sector.

Maltese FIBA international referee Bernard Vassallo, who was one of a pool of ten international referees nominated by FIBA to control the matches in this official tournament, was entrusted to control this final together with Messrs. Pollard and Felice.

Vassallo had already been entrusted to control five other matches along the week, including the tense Group D match between Wales and Moldova (62-57) and the balanced Group E decider between Andorra and Monaco (86-84) both in the second phase.

This was the seventh time that Vassallo controlled an official FIBA tournament final at various levels, including one at senior men level, apart from a men's final in the Small Nations Games and the women's final in last year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.