AUS - Family pride for Pineau after dream debut

PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - As Australia's Sapphires laboured to a hard-fought win against Japan on the opening day of the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women, one player rose head and shoulders above everyone else in what proved to be a dream debut on the world stage.

Georgia Pineau will never forget her first global outing and neither will her proud parents, who were watching on with glee courtside and understandably bursting with pride.

They watched their daughter register a stellar double-double of 23 points and 12 rebounds (including a superb seven boards on the offensive glass) to inspire Australia to a 54-46 success.

The player herself however had an overwhelming emotion of relief, after emerging from a bruising encounter with a victory.

"It was tough and they were really physical," said Pineau.

"They may have been small, but they were very tenacious and we were just happy that we managed to grind out the win.

"I actually thought I was pretty lucky, but I worked hard and that often pays off."

Despite Australia struggling to find top gear in their curtain raiser, Pineau is determined to play her part in helping the Sapphires in their quest for a maiden podium place.

"We're hoping to take our game to the next level during the tournament, so we needed a winning start and I think we're a really bonded team and with that togetherness, we hope to go far."

Tahlia Tupea remains the main outlet for the Sapphires and even though the playmaker didn’t find her offensive rhythm against Japan, Pineau was quick to pay tribute to the qualities of Australia's on-court leader.

"She is definitely the superstar of the team," she declared.

"We all aspire to be like her - she's an amazing player for us."

And, like all young ballers in Australia, Pineau has plenty of names to admire at the senior level too.

"I look up to the likes of Jenna O'Hea and Belinda Snell," said the Melbourne Tigers player.

"Although there's obviously also Liz Cambage and Lauren Jackson - even though I guess she is now close to retiring!"

Having racked up a scintillating shooting performance with a spectacular 83 percent shooting from the floor, even her delighted father Brad admitted he wouldn't anticipate those kind of numbers too often from his daughter.

"It was a great performance by Georgia, although I don't think we would be expecting her to make 10 of 12 from the floor every night!" said Pineau senior with a smile.

"It was actually fantastic watching all the girls play, because it is all about team work and while Georgia scored a few baskets, I thought she was also thrown some really great passes.

"I actually think Georgia and the team probably got a bit of a shock at just how physical Japan played, but they managed to get the win and fought really hard for it."

The Sapphires will play Slovak Republic in their second Group C match-up, but for now at least the Pineau family are simply enjoying a notable chapter in their family history.

FIBA