Russia are the 2005 ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Champions after a 61-53 defeat against Lithuania in Sunday’s final.

In a mistake-filled, tension-packed contest, it was Russia who were able to just do enough to edge their counterparts after an enthralling 40 minutes.

Russia forward Nikita Kurbanov has been elected MVP of the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov.

The 200 cm Kurbanov was a key performer in Russia's gold medal winning side, averaging 11.3 ppg and 7.9 rpg during the competition.

Serbia & Montenegro completed the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men on Sunday with a bronze medal following their victory over Israel on Sunday.

The game proved to be something of an anti-climax as an emotionally drained Israel, 24 hours after a heart-breaking final second loss to Lithuania, fell quickly behind.

It took Lithuania almost 36 minutes to grab a meaningful lead in their semi-final against Israel at the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov on Saturday evening.

But once they had the advantage, the Lithuanians held on for a thrilling victory that sees them through to Sunday's final against hosts Russia.

Russia will play in the final of the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov following their defeat of Serbia & Montenegro on Saturday.

Russia powered to victory against their opponents in a contest in which they led from start to finish, and barely looked stretched by the challenge offered to them by Serbia & Montenegro.

Italy coach Fabrizio Frates conceded Greece had been a class above his players after they crashed out of the A.C.I. Trading Limited U20 European Championship in Chekhov.

The Azzurrini led 43-33 three minutes into the third quarter but were unable to hold off their opponents who claimed a 79-71 triumph.

Serbia & Montenegro completed a comfortable win over France on Thursday evening at the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men.

The victory sees them advance to Saturday's semi-final where they will face hosts Russia.

Greece ended Italy's hopes at the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men on Thursday in dramatic fashion.

A Thrasyvoulos Sfeikos three-pointer with just 23 seconds remaining capped a Greece victory after a furious finish in which either side could have claimed the win.

In what could very well be a preview of Sunday's final, Lithuania and Serbia & Montenegro met on Wednesday at the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship in Chekov.

Both sides were unbeaten going into the contest, but it was Lithuania who managed to keep their 100% record intact, defeating Serbia & Montenegro 62-67 in a tightly contested game.

France dodged a couple of late bullets to beat Latvia 56-54 in the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov.

The French looked to be in control in the third quarter when Etienne Plateau's three-pointer gave them a 45-30 advantage, but Latvia clawed their way back and nearly stole victory in the Group F clash.

Italy are officially the "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" team of the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov after coming back from a huge deficit to stun Israel on Wednesday.

The Italians led hosts Russia by 21 points on Tuesday but lost 76-72, however, one day later Fabrizio Frates' men battled back from 19 points down to win 64-62.

Lithuania preserved their 100% winning record at the ACI Trading Ltd U20 European Championship Men in Chekov on Tuesday with an 87-65 win over France.

Despite the eventual 22-point margin, Lithuania were made to work for the victory and faced easily their toughest challenge of the tournament so far.