The stage is set for a thrilling showdown at the annual Youth Basketball Festival. The under-16 boys’ final is set to tip off at 10:30 AM on Sunday at Albufeira’s sports pavilion, with Lisbon and Porto facing off for the title.
The two teams have a history of clashing in this championship, having met eight times previously in the under-16 boys’ final. Porto holds a slight edge, having won five of those encounters. Lisbon is looking to defend its 2024 title, won against Aveiro, while Porto is seeking to reclaim the crown it last held in 2023 after defeating Lisbon.
Road to the Final
Lisbon secured its spot in the final by downing Aveiro 53-38 in the semifinals. Porto, meanwhile, thrashed Setúbal 62-46 to advance to the title match.
A look at the event’s history shows that Porto leads with seven under-16 boys’ titles, followed by Lisbon with five and Aveiro with two. Setúbal is the only other team to have broken this trio’s dominance, winning in 2007 and 2011.
Women’s Under-16 Final
The under-16 girls’ final is also set for Sunday at the same venue, with Porto taking on Santarém in a first-time matchup. Porto is gunning for its third consecutive title, a feat achieved previously by Aveiro (2009-2011) and Lisbon (2016-2018).
Santarém pulled off a surprise by defeating Algarve 58-46 in the semifinals, ending a year-long slump. Porto, meanwhile, edged out Lisbon 49-40 to reach the final. Porto is chasing its eighth title in this age group, with Lisbon and Aveiro tied for second place with four titles each.
The third-place match will feature Lisbon and Algarve, a repeat of the 2023 bronze medal match. Lisbon has been runner-up in the two previous seasons.