Musina making run towards All-Star Five and U19 world title

UDINE/CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017) - Raisa Musina is ready to combine with Maria Vadeeva to lead unbeaten Russia to glory at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2017.

The duo have been the driving force behind Russia's stunning six wins, which culminated in their jaw-dropping 65-41 destruction of Canada in the Semi-Finals as the team lit it up from long-range.

Musina stepped up in a big way with a terrific 22 points, 16 rebounds and 3 assists - a performance which thrust her back into the All-Star Five reckoning. It also reminded everyone that Russia are not only about her partner in the paint.

"Being friends with Masha [Vadeeva] really helps us to connect on the court and that is always important," revealed the forward, who has just penned a deal with EuroLeague Women juggernauts UMMC Ekaterinburg.

"Together we are hoping for the dream to come true and we can win the title. But we also have to recognize that we get great support from the bench and we are a team - even if we are the leaders."

On Sunday, Russia will face the USA in a repeat of the 2015 Final which they lost on home soil in Chekhov.

FIBA