Natalia Vieru was named Most Valuable Player of the U20 European Championship for Women after helping Russia to the gold medal in Pescara.

The 19-year-old center Vieru was dominant throughout the tournament though she struggled to just six points with foul trouble in Russia's 67-58 victory over France in the final.

Five players scored in double figures as Serbia beat Spain 73-46 to win third place at the U20 European Championship for Women.

Jelena Milovanovic led the way for Serbia with 17 points while Sonja Petrovic had 15 points,  Dragana Gobeljic 12 and Smiljana Ivanovic 11. And Iva Roglic chipped in 10 points and three blocked shots.

The old adage goes "defense wins championsihips" and that should hold true in the final of the U20 European Championship for Women with undefeated Russia facing off with France - winners of six straight games.

Both teams reached Sunday's final in Pescara by playing tough-as-nails defense in their semi-final victories over Serbia and Spain, respectively.

A tough France defense shut down Spain 61-56 to dethrone the defending champions and advance to the final of the U20 European Championship for Women.

Lucie Bouthers came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points and Carine Paul added 12 points, while the French defence held the Spanish to just 32 percent shooting for the semi-final.

Russia advanced to the final of the U20 European Championship for Women with a thrilling 49-47 victory over Serbia in the first semi-final.

Natalia Zhedik and Olga Petrova each made a foul shot in the final 15 seconds and Serbian star Sonja Petrovic, who struggled throughout, missed a lay-up attempt to even the game with six seconds left.

Germany and Bulgaria both secured their Division A status at the U20 European Championship for Women at the expense of Belgium and Greece.

While Germany already knew their fate coming into Saturday's final action in the Classification Round, Bulgaria knocked off Belgium 74-68 to stay top flight.

Sabine Niedola had another outstanding showing in leading Latvia to a 83-73 over-time victory over Lithuania to reach the Fifth Place Game of the U20 European Championship for Women, where they will meet Ukraine.

Niedola gathered 21 points, 22 rebounds and five steals - the 17-year-old Latvian star talent's sixth game with at least 17 points and 14 rebounds.