Sweden's Farhiya Abdi was named Most Valuable Player of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women despite losing in the semi-finals against eventual champions Spain in Katowice.

The 16-year-old forward/center averaged 17.1 points and 11.5 rebounds - both second-best figures at the tournament - as well as 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals in helping Sweden to fourth place - the nation's best ever U16 showing.

Defending champions France collected their third bronze medal of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women by running away from up-starts Sweden 73-44 in the Third Place Game.

Jenny Fouasseau and Eléonore Grossemy paced France with 16 points each as Arnaud Guppillotte's side added 2008 bronze to third-place finishes in 1997 and 1999; gold in 2001 and 2007; and 2005 silver.

Spain fended off a valiant effort by Sweden to reach their fifth straight final of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women with a 38-33 victory in a defensive battle in Katowice.

The four-time champions came back from 10-point third quarter deficit and scored the game's final five points to end Sweden's fairytale dreams of reaching the final.

Italy will play for their first-ever gold medal at the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women after upsetting title-holders France 64-55 in the first semi-final in Katowice.

Debora Carangelo made seven free throws in the final 1:30 and led her team with 20 points and four steals as Italy enter their fifth U16 final - and first since 1995. Gaia Gorini added 19 points for the winners.

Hosts Poland will face off against Belgium for fifth place at the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women after both sides won their 5th-8th place games.

Julie Vanloo and Emma Meesseman both scored 24 points as Belgium beat Hungary 62-40 while Poland beat Turkey 81-69 behind 21 points from Kinga Bandyk and a triple double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists by Ramona Cossengue Casimiro.

Three years may not seem like a long time. But the European basketball world has seen the rise of a new superpower since the summer of 2005 - the Sweden women's game.

Okay, adding Sweden to the likes of Spain, France, Serbia, Italy and Russia may seem a bit of a stretch just yet. But by reaching their first-ever semi-finals of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women this summer, Sweden continue an amazing development since 2005.

The old adage goes: "Defense wins championships". Well, if that is the case, then Spain have excellent chances of collecting their fifth gold medal at the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women - and fourth in the past five years.

Jose Ignacio Hernandez's Spain have steam-rolled into the semi-finals in Katowice with their defense leading them to an undefeated record heading into the Saturday match-up against Sweden.

Sweden were not pretty but got the job done, reaching their first ever semi-finals of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women with a 62-52 victory over Lithuania.

Farhiya Abdi poured in 20 points and Amanda Zahui added 11 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks as Sweden took second place in the Qualifying Round Group F to set up a semi-final date with undefeated Spain.

Hungary has a chance to grab fifth place at the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women after knocking off Russia 53-45.

Bettina Baksa scored 19 points to lead the way for Hungary, who finished the Qualifying Round Group F in fourth place with a 2-3 record.

Emel Güler collected 21 points and nine rebounds as Turkey knocked off Czech Republic 79-57 but must wait to find out if they will reach the semi-finals of the Termosteps U16 European Championship.

The win moves Turkey to 3-2 in the Qualifying Round Group E but Firat Okul's team needed Sweden to lose against Lithuania later to make the final four.

Monika Jasnowska poured in 20 points as hosts Poland returned to the winning column at the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women with a 69-41 victory over Belarus.

Ramona Cossengue Casimiro added eight points, 12 rebounds and five assists as Poland secured third place in the Qualifying Round Group F with a 3-2 record.