Japan come through thriller for opening success, hosts Hungary make winning start

DEBRECEN (Hungary) - Japan pipping Canada in a dramatic victory made for one of the standout highlights from opening day at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2021.

While their senior team go for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the next generation of stars continued the feel-good factor around the national team for Japan as they came through a tense finish to prevail for an 83-82 triumph.

Yua Emura's layup inside the final minute proved decisive after the two teams traded the lead throughout the closing stages of the fourth. Shayeann Day-Wilson poured in a game-high of 29 points in vain for Canada as they came up just short of a comeback win after having been as many as 15 behind.

Defending champions USA concluded the first day of the tournament by comprehensively beating Italy 96-37 with an all-around scoring effort. Sonia Citron top scored with 15 points off the bench while Lauren Betts went 6-of-6 from the field for 12 points along with her 3 blocks.

"I think we can take a lot of confidence from this, but we have to be mature and stay focused - this is just one game," said USA guard Jewel Spear, who added 14 points. "I was most impressed with how everyone came in and did their role and performed at their highest level.

"We have to got to play really good defense [against Australia]. We know we can all score. We saw Australia play; they can shoot well and they are a versatile team so we will have to come out and play hard."

Hosts Hungary also got off to a winning start in style as they just missed out on a century of points in their 99-42 victory against Chinese Taipei, while Russia also enjoyed a strong start as they defeated Argentina 73-42 to wrap up the Group B action, on Saturday.

Earlier, Spain had opened the tournament with a convincing 87-37 success against Korea having raced out to a 19-2 start to set the tone. France had to overcome a slow start to join their European rivals at the top of Group C with an 84-52 victory over Brazil as Leila Lacan finished with 17 points, 10 assists and 7 steals.

"We are here to win," commented Spain's Marta Garcia. "It was a good start for us - we came together which is the most important thing and our defense was really good."

Australia were just as dominant in beginning their campaign as they kept Egypt to just 10 points in the first half on their way to an emphatic 99-28 win with Jade Melbourne leading four players in double figures with 19 points.

Meanwhile, Mali forfeited their opening game, which was awarded 20-0 to Czech Republic.

FIBA