The national Iranian men�s basketball team has impressed the spectators�at the 2016 International Basketball Challenge, also known as the 2016 Atlas Challenge, in China, and been crowned as the champion of the�six-day international sporting event.

On Sunday, the Iranian squad, which had defeated China B 80-69 in the semi-final round the previous evening and claimed a spot in the�final fixture of the�tournament at the Suzhou Sports Center in Suzhou, defeated the Lithuanian side 85-70 in the last encounter and clinched the title.

The Lithuanian basketball players started the game in a dominant fashion and were � were�heading for the first quarter win, when their Iranian counterparts came from behind to turn the tide and outscore the Europeans 20-17.

The Lithuanian players lost steam as the match went into the third quarter, paving the way for the Iranians to claim the quarter 18-15.

After the break, the Lithuanians returned to action seemingly�regained�in their composure and went a great length to make up the deficit.

The strong-minded Iranians, however, did bow out in the face of the fight back, and eventually recorded a laudable 85-70 win.

The 2016 International Basketball Challenge opened in Suzhou on June 14 and ran through June 19.

The tournament served as a warm-up exercise for Iran before the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will be held between July 4 and July 9 at the multi-purpose Pala Alpitour indoor sports arena in Turin, Italy.







�By Press TV