U18 Women’s Games: Saturday 30 July

SOPRON (FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship 2016) - It’s Semi-Final day in Sopron, where France’s bid for a sixth successive Final appearance meets a Latvian team desperate to make the best of reaching their first ever Semi-Final.

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Semi-Finals

Latvia vs France

Latvia’s star center Digna Strautmane will have her work cut out against Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi and the powerful French frontline. Latvia rely heavily on their strongest players, whereas the French have used all 12 of their squad to great effect, and this difference is also highlighted in the tournament rankings for assists per game, where France are placed second and Latvia dead last. Both sides have struggled with their offence at times, and one area where Latvia excel is on blocked shots - Strautmane averages 3.4 per game and wiped out five Belgian shots in the Quarter-Final victory, so France will have to proceed with caution.

Russia vs Spain

Russia remain undefeated, having survived some close finishes, and in Raisa Musina they have one of the tournament’s brightest stars. She is complemented well by guards Kamilla Ogun and Daria Kurilchuk, who is shooting 43.8% from behind the arc. The Spanish team has nine players averaging at least 15 minutes per game, with only Paula Ginzo breaking 10 points per game thus far. Ginzo was monstrous on the offensive glass in the Quarter-Final win over Turkey, but Russia have been the best rebounding team here so far, so the battle of the boards could be crucial. Russia will have to take care of the ball, with Spain forcing the most steals per game in the tournament.

Classification Games 5-8

Turkey vs Hungary

The hosts need to bounce back from the disappointment of falling short against Russia, with a place at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship 2017 in Udine, Italy, still available for the team finishing fifth here. Turkey’s powerful frontline has caused a lot of problems for teams in Sopron, but Dorka Juhasz has been superb throughout the tournament and she will give Turkey plenty to think about too.

Belgium vs Italy

Belgium watched in exasperation as the chance of a Semi-Final place slipped away when they coughed up a 14-point lead to Latvia. Italy fought hard but could not find quite enough to take down France - as hosts, their place at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship 2017 is already confirmed.

Classification Games 9-12

Croatia vs Lithuania

Croatia secured a sixth successive year in Division A, their longest-ever run, with victory over Israel on Friday. Josipa Silov leads her troops against Lithuania, for whom Gabija Meskonyte has shone brightly during the tournament.

Slovenia vs Serbia

Slovenia found the perfect time to break their tournament duck, ensuring their Division A status with victory over Czech Republic. Aleksandra Kroselj is the tournament’s second-highest scorer, while Teodora Turudic has impressed for Serbia.

Classification Games 13-16

Israel vs Slovak Republic

Israel remain winless and need to turn that around, with only victories on Saturday and Sunday enough to save them from relegation. They will be without point guard Yaara Yizchaki through injury, but they will be encouraged by stronger performances in the last two games, where they pushed Latvia and Croatia close. Slovak Republic started the tournament well, also pushing Latvia close, but their offence has struggled and they desperately need to find some answers in order to avoid the dreaded drop.

Czech Republic vs Netherlands

Czech Republic will be hoping that they can keep Netherlands winless after failing against Slovenia, who out-hustled them. The Dutch team have had a miserable tournament thus far, but they will know that if they can turn it around for these last two games, they can clinch Division A survival.

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