MIES (Switzerland) - The magical one-two punch of Raisa Musina and Maria Vadeeva in the Final of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017, was one of the most amazing things this storied and famous competition has ever seen.
Already a double-act of phenomenal repute, the duo delivered one of the most breathtaking combined displays in a women's FIBA game ever (let alone at the U19 Worlds) on a quite incredible and historical day in Udine, Italy.
Those lucky enough to be watching and especially inside the venue in the Italian city will never forget seeing these Russian ballers combing for a staggering 59 points in a Final for the ages.
It's a game that is considered as the best title clash ever and one that saw Vadeeva and Musina inspire Russia to their maiden crown - ending the long winning streak and dominance of USA in the process.
The sweetness of beating USA was not only due to a baked-in rivalry at every level between these great basketball nations across decades - it was personal for Vadeeva and Musina.
That's because two years earlier, while stepping out as younger players at the previous edition, they had suffered from the agony of losing to USA in Chekhov and having to settle for silver on home soil.
With an extra two years of growth and skills under their belt, they both came roaring back.
Vadeeva in particular had already enhanced her reputation with not just one, but a staggering two FIBA Women's EuroBasket outings in 2015 and in 2017 - with Musina joined her fellow young gun for the latter.
This time at the 2017 edition of the FIBA Worlds, they were simply not going to be denied. Their partnership in the paint was a tour de force as Russia claimed a famous 86-82 victory built on the jaw-dropping contribution from their star ballers.
Musina caught fire and poured in a majestic 33 points in the triumph, with her length, smarts and all-around skills proving too much for the USA defense.
And, whenever Musina was temporarily locked down, the almost indescribably strong Vadeeva would take over and it was a truly relentless tide.
In the end, it was Vadeeva who took TISSOT MVP, with Musina having to be satisifed with an All-Star Five berth. But if ever an MVP award needed to be sliced down the middle and shared, this was it.
It was a day when their already growing reputations fully erupted and the following year, both were WNBA drafted.
This also came prior to them both being crowned EuroLeague Women champions with UMMC Ekaterinburg in 2019 and continuing to star for the senior Russia national team.
The duo then appeared at the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2019 and FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2021, with Vadeeva particularly exceptional in the latter.
FIBA