UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World up 2017) - Canada and Japan will be bidding to reach the title game for the first time at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup, while USA and Russia are seeking a 2015 Final repeat.
Will there be history made, or will we be left to savor a re-run from two years ago in Chekhov?
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Canada are not only chasing their first ever Final appearance, but victory against Russia would also seal a maiden podium finish too. Their last run to the Semi-Finals came back in 2009 and this time around they will need to extend their superb unbeaten run to six games. To be successful means blunting the phenomenal Maria Vadeeva, with the Russian center having been the standout player of the tournament so far. She has experience along with Raisa Musina of having played in the 2015 Final on home soil in Chekhov. There is also the potential 'X-factor' on the wings and in the backcourt of shooting pair Daria Kurilchik and Aislinn Konig who bring the additional scoring production for their respective teams.
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Japan have already wrote a nice line of history by making it this far for the first time, so anything extra will feel like a real bonus. The warning shot towards USA is that Japan ran Spain off the floor with their superior quickness and the confidence is flowing. They move the ball well and share the scoring - much like their opponents. That is testament to Ayumi Fujita who is on almost five assists per game. Meanwhile USA frontcourt pair Joyner Holmes and Bella Alarie are making a case for All-Star Five inclusion and Japan will have to limit their effectiveness inside.
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