DEBRECEN (Hungary) - The Group Phase of the FIBA U17 Women's  Basketball World Cup 2022 in Debrecen is guaranteed to throw up some entertaining and intriguing games.

With fixtures pencilled in for Saturday 9, Sunday 10 and Tuesday 12 of July, every contest will mean something as the lineup for the Round of 16 takes shape. But, which games are the ones to look out for most?

Group B: Australia v Slovenia - Saturday 09 July (12:00 local time)

The Sapphires will step out in Hungary having just been crowned FIBA U16 Women's Asian Championship winners, but they will have to take it up a gear against a Slovenian team that will make history with a first appearance. Additionally, this is the first game of the competition and that adds to the intrigue and excitement. Australia are likely to be fuelled by their standout trio of Isla Juffermans, Jayda Clark and Saffron Shiels, while Slovenia will look to Ajsa Sivka and Zoja Stirn for inspiration, having led them brilliantly last year in an unbeaten run at the FIBA U16 European Challengers.

Group A: Japan v Hungary - Sunday 10 July (17:30 local time)

There's much to love about Japan's style of basketball at all levels and they will arrive well-tuned after the action in Amman where they were edged out of a gold medal by a solitary point. Eager to bounce back, their fast-paced transition game will be pitched against host nation Hungary, who will have great support from the fans. It's likely to be a real clash of basketball styles, with Petra Toman anchoring the hosts and Japan (still searching for an elusive maiden medal) fuelled by Kokoro Tanaka, Yuina Fukatsu and Kokone Ueno.

Group B: Australia v France - Tuesday 12 July (12:30 local time)

France are being talked about as potential podium candidates and if they show the kind of form they did last year at the FIBA U16 Women's European Challengers, they will be difficult to beat. Not least because of their depth and quality, with players such as Dominique Malonga having played EuroCup Women this past season with Lyon. But, if the two-time Finalists want to really show they are ready to make a deep run, they will need to prove it against an Australian side full of confidence after their success in Jordan. 

Group D: Mali v New Zealand - Tuesday 12 July (20:00 local time)

The past few editions of this tournament has witnessed Mali start building a traditon of collecting wins - something that was elusive in the early days when they went winless in 2010 and then only won once in 2012 and then 2014. In 2016 they made a massive breakthrough with three victories and had a couple back in 2018, which included a dramatic 66-64 success against New Zealand. The FIBA U16 Women's African Championship winners should be relying on Rokiatou Berthe in what is likely to be their best chance of a Group Phase success. Meanwhile New Zealand will probably feel the same and if Maia Jones finds her range, it will be fascinating. 

Group D: USA v Germany - Tuesday 12 July (20:00 local time)

The reigning champions are red-hot favorites to defend their title and on paper at least, the suggestion would be that Germany poses the stiffest test. So, just how dominant USA are may give us all an indication of just how good the gold-chasing group is - especially in terms of those who have went before them. Juju Watkins and Jada Williams look ready to turn heads with their talent. Meanwhile Germany are excited to make their debut in the competition and by this point they may well have already made history with a first win. But even with talents like Annika Soltau to call upon, playing USA is the ultimate test and the real welcome to global U17 basketball.

FIBA