Day 5 Under 19 World Championships

From www.fiba.com

AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Australia, Croatia and the USA remain undefeated after day 5 of the FIBA U19 World Championship, while powerhouses Greece, Lithuania and Argentina stand of the brink of elimination with one day to go in the second round.

The USA powered to victory over Puerto Rico, subduing day 4 star Mike Rosario and executing a punishing transition game to win 82-61.

Howard Thompkins (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Gordon Hayward (11 points, 7 rebounds) led the way for the USA, while Lio Fontan (16 points, 6/15, 4 assists) and Rosario (11 points, 4/15 fg) both scored in double figures, but struggled mightily with the tough US perimeter defence.

Puerto Rico must defeat Egypt tomorrow to guarantee passage through to the quarter finals.

Croatia survived a strong challenge from Spain, who won the third quarter 28-21 to draw within one of the Croats. But Dino Butorac scored 10 of his 16 points in the last quarter to keep Croatia’s perfect record intact.

Leon Radosevic was a powerhouse inside for Croatia, scoring 22 points and grabbing 8 rebounds, while Spain were best served by Toni Vicens, who nullified Croatia’s height advantage by compiling 18 points and 9 rebounds.

A win over Kazakhstan on day 6 will see Spain through to the quarter finals, while Croatia play Australia to determine top spot in Group F.

Australia stunned Argentina by taking a 34-10 lead midway through the second quarter, but Luciano Gonzalez led surge saw the Americas champions draw within 6 points at three quarter time.

Australia held their nerve in the last quarter to record a 76-65 win, with Cody Ellis, Jason Cadee and Brock Motum all scoring 16 points. Gonzalez (14 points, 4/7 fg) was the only player in double figures for Argentina, whose offensive struggles in the first 14 minutes cost them victory.

Argentina must beat Canada on day 6 to guarantee a quarter final berth, otherwise they will be relying on other results going their way.

France provided the performance of the day, hitting 8 first half three pointers on the way to a 57-34 lead at the main break. While Lithuania closed to within 14 points a three quarter time, the French were never seriously challenged and ran out 95-78 winners.

Christophe Leonard collected 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals and steadied his team when the Lithuanians made their run. Jonathan Bourhis nailed 6-three pointers on his way to 18 points.

Big man Adomas Drungilus scored 24 points and pulled down 9 rebounds for Lithuania, who were out-rebounded 27-40.

Greece made short work of Egypt, but must beat France on day 6 to move to the knockout stage of the tournament. The European champions led 37-17 at quarter time, 59-22 at half time and 76-36 at the last break before winning 100-59.

Nikolaos Pappas (18 points), Leonidas Kaselakis (12 points) and Ioannis Angelopoulos (11 points, 4 rebounds) enjoyed the day out for Greece, while for the overmatched Egyptians, Adham Mohamed Elsayed (16 points, 4 rebounds) and Osama Shawki Mohamed (12 points, 7 rebounds) reached double figures.

Kazakhstan lost no respect in their 108-70 loss to Canada, but the North Americans did what needed to be done, and now can possibly secure a place in the knockout round by defeating Argentina.

Against the Kazaks, Cory Joseph finished with 20 points on 9/14 shooting and 6 rebounds, and received excellent support from Typhoon Nurse with 25 points and 5 rebounds, and captain Kelly Olynk (24 points, 9 rebounds).

Kazak forward Alexandr Tyutyunik was again outstanding with 19 points.

In the classification games, New Zealand claimed 13th place in their first ever FIBA U19 World Championship with a 62-54 win over Angola. Brook Ruscoe (20 points, 3 assists) and Rob Loe were again New Zealand’s best, while Angolan Miguel Kiala dominated the paint to record 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Iran recorded their first win of the world championship, easily accounting for Syria, 93-53. Mohammad Amjad finished with 29 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 28:47. Amazingly, he had scored just 26 points in the first four games of the tournament.

Captain Arsalan Kazemi also farewelled the tournament in style, recording 23 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks. For Syria, who finish in 16th place, only Tarek Al Jabe put up any stern resistance with 14 points and 5 boards.

Stay tuned to www.newzealand2009.fiba.com as the quarter finalists are decided at the FIBA U19 World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA