FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship: USA and France to fight for title

Defending champion and favourites USA will face France in the final of the ongoing FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship at Klaipeda, Lithuania.

In the first semifinal of the championship, defending champions USA cruise past Australia 77 – 54 to reach the final of the championship for the fifth time in succession.

Breanna Stewart was on fire for USA with 23 points in the match. Australia took the first quarter 14 – 11 while USA took the second quarter 27 – 6.

Going to the halftime, USA were 38 – 20 up. There was no way back for Australia in the second half of the match as USA took the last two quarters 19 – 17 and 20 – 17 to cruise to their fifth final in a row with an easy 77 – 54 win.

Stephanie Talbot scored 11 points and had six rebounds and five assists for Australia.

In the other semifinal, France sneak past European powerhouse Spain 62 – 58 to create history by reaching their first ever final of the FIBA U19 Women’s World Championship.

France took early lead by taking the first quarter 20 – 15 while Spain came back to the match by taking second quarter 12 – 6. Going to the break, Spain were leading 27 – 26.

But, France took the third quarter 16 – 13 and also took the last quarter 20 – 18 to sneak past Spain 62 – 58 to reach their first ever final in the youth basketball.

Astou Ndour – who finished with game-highs of 27 points and 10 rebounds – could not help Spain to reach final of the championship.

Lidija Turcinovic, with 13 points, played a huge role to help France reach the final of the championship including a huge three-pointer in the last minute to help swing the game back Les Bleues’ way.

The third place match and the final will be played on 28 July 2013 at Klaipeda, Lithuania.