FIBA U19W - Italy, France, Russia face big tests as Eight-Finals begin

PUERTO MONTT (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - An unexpected game of the day, as the Eight Final round tips off at the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile, sees Japan taking on Italy at 11:15am (local time) in Puerto Montt.

In the Preliminary Round, the Italians took care of Egypt in style and held off China in a tight encounter. But they were never in the hunt against Canada, losing 75-51 as the North Americans superior front court size and disruptive defence never allowed the European champions to settle into their game.

Today Italy holds the size advantage, facing an opponent who is even more reliant on guard play. Japan have no issue with taking on bigger opponents though, and will once again swarm defensively and play with absolute confidence on offence.

How well Italy's guard duo of Debora Carangelo and Francesca Dotto can handle the Japanese pressure, and whether the Italians can execute their half court offence against the unorthodox half court defence of the Asian silver medallists will go a long way to deciding the result.
 
Japan is likely to be without leading scorer Aya Watanabe, who suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of her team's 90-64 win over Russia. However, Sanae Motokawa, Aoi Katsura and Shiori Takada stepped up to fill the breach, and coach Eiki Umezaki will be looking for more of the same.

"The same plan as always," he said about today's match up. "We will drive and drive inside and pass out to open shooters."

Another highly anticipated game on the first day of the Eight Finals is between Spain and France, the silver and bronze medallists from last year's European championship, who face off at 20H15 at Puerto Varas.

Since an opening night hiccup against Brazil, Spain has clinically disposed of Slovenia and Chinese Taipei, with star guard Queralt Casas leasing the way. They will face a much tougher proposition against the disciplined half court defence of the French.

France coach Jerome Fournier was unhappy with his team's loss to Australia, and will have his team focusing on the boards. "We needed to run and run, but they secured so many rebounds because they are so tall, so physical," he said.


"Next we have Spain, they will be very difficult for us, very tough. But anything is possible in this game. Basketball is wonderfully for that, I love this game for that."

Fournier also called for his better players to stand up and be counted following the loss to Australia. "None of my main players were there today, except Valeriane (Ayayi)," he said.

Russia faces Canada following consecutive defeats to the USA and Japan. The Russians will be challenged by the Canadian pressure defence, which coach Rich Chambers believes is one of the keys to his team's progress in the tournament.

"Our girls are strong and they're smart, so I think we can put great pressure on most teams," he said. "I think our strength is that we play great defence, the girls are tough and we rebound the ball well."

In other games, the USA plays China, Brazil faces Chile, and Australia takes on Chinese Taipei in the last game of the day. In Puerto Varas, Argentina plays Egypt in a classification game for places 13-16.

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA