Russia and USA to compete for U19 Women's Worlds title
CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Host nation Russia and defending champions USA will contest the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship title after they both eased their way in
CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Host nation Russia and defending champions USA will contest the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship title after they both eased their way into the showpiece game on Saturday.
Bidding to finish top of the pile for a spectacular sixth consecutive time in the competition, the USA completed an 85-60 win against Spain as Napheesa Collier and A'ja Wilson continued to show their inside strength.
Collier dropped 24 points and 14 rebounds, with Wilson contributing 20 points and 16 rebounds as USA controlled the glass which was decisive in the victory.
Russia strolled to a 76-57 win against Australia thanks primarily to a rampant Maria Vadeeva who showed why she is one of the best of her generation in the women’s game with a jaw dropping 27 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks.
However, Russia played well and shared the ball impressively through the terrific guard play of Kseniia Levchenko in returning to the Final of the event for the first time since 2001.
Australia competed on the glass but shot below 30 percent inside and turned the ball over 20 times which means they will now have to settle in trying to take the last step on the podium as they did back in 2013.
Euro neighbours France and Belgium will shoot it out for fifth place after Marie-Michelle Milapie scored 17 points to help France take down China, 67-61, and Julie Allemand delivered a stellar 24 points, to help Belgium take a 70-64 success against Canada.
The duel for the 9-12 spots in Vidnoe witnessed wins for Brazil and Netherlands. The Brazilians registered a 60-49 success against Mali, despite a massive 19 points and 18 points from Mariam Coulibaly, with Emese Hof also having a big day as the center coralled 24 points for the Dutch who powered their way to a 90-60 win against Serbia.
The last two winless teams, Egypt and Argentina, will play on Sunday to avoid last place, with the former losing out 73-59 to Chinese Taipei and the latter falling 63-57 to Korea who got their first success and will fight it out against their Asian rivals for 13th spot.
FIBA