France aiming for first-ever U17 Women's World Cup title, USA want a fourth

MINSK (FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - It all comes down to 40 minutes as France and USA lock horns for the right to be crowned FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 champions on Sunday evening.

It is a battle pitting the winners of last year's FIBA U16 Women's European Championship and FIBA U16 Women's Americas Championship, with a lot of intriguing mini-battles to look out for.

How will Iliana Rupert fare inside against Aliyah Boston and Fran Belibi after her monster performance - 20 points, 14 rebounds and 6 blocks - against Australia?

Can France contain Jordan Horston's all-round game which was on full display in the USA's Semi-Final win over Hungary?

Can the French shooters make big shots as they did in the second half of their Semi-Final win against the defending champions Australia?

Zoe Wadoux knocked down 4 three-pointers against Australia

The two nations have history at the U17 Women's World Cup, meeting a total of four times including in the tournament's first-ever Final in 2010, which the USA won 92-62 on French soil.

That was the only time France reached the Final of this event and long-serving head coach Arnaud Guppilotte remembers it well having been in charge of the home side at the inaugural event staged in the cities of Toulouse and Rodez.

"In 2010, we thought it was enough, we thought we had won by being in the Final," he recalled. "I won't make that mistake this time. The sky is the limit and I want to prove how good we are to the world.

"It did not look possible to win [against Australia] but I said to the players that we had nothing to lose, to free their minds and when you see young players showing that fighting spirit like they did in the second half, as a coach, it is really nice."

On Saturday, France battled back from 15 points down to beat Australia with a huge game from Rupert setting the stage for success. Zoe Wadoux added 16 points with some key shots in the second half as the French racked up 47 points.

Their sights are now set on a first-ever title at the event. 

"We're honored to be in the Final," declared Wadoux. "We've been waiting for it since we were crowned European champions last year [at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship 2017]. So it was a goal of ours to be in the Final but our goal doesn't stop here.

"It's like with a sprinter when he runs the 100m, he doesn't stop before the finish line, he stops after the finish line and that's what makes him get the gold medal. Right now, being in the Final, that's us being in front of the finish line so now we have to run some more to reach the line."

USA produced another impressive display in their defeat of Hungary, keeping a team to below 40 points for the second straight game as MVP-candidate Horston led the way with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

With an overall record of 35-1 at the U17 Women's World Cup, USA's only blemish came in Zaragoza two years ago when they were beaten in the Semi-Finals by eventual winners, Australia.

"It's been talked about," Berube said of 2016. “Knowing the history of USA basketball is important. I'm just really excited to be in the championship game. This was our goal all along, from when we started with trials in May.

"France are a really talented team, very well coached. They’ve got a lot of great pieces, great outside shooting with great inside play. They defend well, too. They did a really good job of shutting down a strong, offensive Australian team. It'll be a great match-up. We'll be focused and ready to go.

Horston added: "Just knowing that everybody has each other's back [has been key to our defense]. The chemistry with these girls over the past month has gotten so great. Our defense, we just trust each other. It’s good knowing that if I’m going to slide over and help, then somebody is going to help with my player.

"It would be a dream come true [to be world champions]. Nothing is better than that."

Meanwhile, the battle for the last step on the podium sees Australia take on Hungary. The Sapphires were champions in 2016, while Hungary took third place in their previous tournament appearance in 2014.

FIBA