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Spanish frontcourt duo Ilimane Diop (pictured) and Guillermo Hernangomez combined for 24 points

By Jared Grellet

Spain overcame an early eight-point deficit to defeat Germany, 86-75, on the opening day of Group A action at the Samsung U18 European Championship.

After starting the game slowly, the Spanish began to build into their work in the second quarter, coming back to tie the game and then go on to end the frame on a 9-2 run to hold a seven-point lead at half-time.

Early in the final quarter, Germany went behind by as much as 15 but threatened to come back late as Gavin Schilling picked up eight points in less than three minutes to drag the deficit back to six points with a little over two minutes to play.

However, Spain tightened their defence in the last two minutes, restricting Germany to just two more points to seal the win.

Guillermo Hernangomez topped Spanish scoring with 14 points alongside nine rebounds.

Alberto Diaz and Oriol Pauli had 11 points each whilst Sebastian Saiz and Ilmane Diop chipped in with 10 each.

Leading all scoring was Schilling with 16 points.

Spain take on Ukraine on Friday while Germany will look to reconsolidate when they take on Serbia in the final game on day two.