FIBA U17W - Round of 16 clashes set ahead of do-or-die showdowns

KLATOVY /PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – The initial Group Phase at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women has drawn to a conclusion with all 16 teams now preparing for a do-or-die Wednesday when they will do battle to reach the Quarter-Finals.

The eight winning nations in Wednesday's Round of 16 games will play in Pilsen from Friday onwards and compete for medals, with the losing teams congregating in Klatovy to compete for the 9-16 spots.

Reigning champions USA will go up against neighbours Mexico having finished their Group D campaign in top position and unbeaten after wrapping up with a one-sided 78-22 success against Mali. Joyner Holmes secured a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Mexico finished bottom of Group C and yet despite their fourth-placed finish, can take heart from the first 30 minutes or so against Australia when they were firmly in contention thanks to Paulina Rodriguez who eventually claimed 11 points. However, the Sapphires upped their game to take a 64-42 win and finish top of Group C, which means a match-up against Mali.

France got hot early against China and cruised to a 75-42 triumph behind a sharp-shooting 19-point display from Lisa Berkani to finish second in Group D. That means they will tussle with Slovak Republic, who were edged into third place in Group C after a nail-biting 49-47 defeat to Japan.

Despite the rarity of not making a single shot from downtown, the Japanese survived and were led by Risa Nishioka's 11 points and eight rebounds. They will play China in an all-Asian clash with many of the same players having contested the final of the FIBA U16 Asia Championship for Women last year.

Spain were imperious in Group B and strolled to the top of the standings after their third straight success arrived courtesy of a 73-52 victory against the previously unbeaten Brazil. Angela Salvadores was on top form and corralled a stunning 18 points, nine rebounds, six steals and five assists to set up a Last 16 meeting against Korea, who finished in last place in Group A.

The Koreans went down 73-68 to Hungary, whose debut at the event continues to bring joy. They won thanks to a tremendous 14 points and 19 rebounds from Eniko Kuttor, though they had to withstand intense pressure from their opponents who down by more than twenty at one stage, came roaring back. Korea had Ji Su Park amass a fantastic 25 points, seven rebounds, seven steals and a fabulous six blocked shots.

Finishing in pole position, Hungary will now play Egypt who lost out 65-48 to a relieved Italy, who inked a first win. Mariella Santucci was the star of the show with 14 points, six steals and five assists, while Nouralla Talaat of Egypt became the second player in the tournament to pull down a spectacular 20 rebounds.

Italy will play Czech Republic who clinched second place in Group A after another incredible atmosphere in Klatovy catapulted them to an exciting 71-62 win against Canada - as did yet another amazing double-double of 27 points and 15 rebounds from Julia Reisingerova. There was also a really nice cameo from Tereza Sipova who added 15 points and a scintillating seven steals.

Kendra Van Leeuwen produced what was arguably her most productive outing in a Canadian jersey but her seven of nine shooting display for a combined 41 points with Bridget Carleton wasn't enough and the duo will now face Brazil.

FIBA