MADRID (Spain) - We're heading into the business end of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Madrid and so it's time for the second volume of the Power Rankings.

The new list takes into account the first volume of the Power Rankings, results and performances so far in the tournament and of course, the all-important competition bracket.

Here's the final countdown from 16 to the coveted number 1 spot:

16. Brazil   (-2)

Tournament Record: 0-4

There were no big expectations on Brazil, although they did have on paper at least, an easier group than South American rivals Argentina. But losses to Japan, Lithuania and Italy, before being humbled by Canada has been tough.

Every one of their four losses has been by double-digits. Going 9 of 54 from downtown has been a big part of their struggles. although on the plus side, they have rebounded well. But apart from Giovanna Rocha Da Silva and Ana Beatriz Passos Alves Da Silva there's been very little production.

15. Argentina  (-2)

Tournament Record: 0-4

You have to have sympathy for Argentina who had the toughest draw in the competition in having to face Australia, Spain and France, before being handed the USA which only added some salt to the wounds. There will probably be a feeling of relief they can now face teams that are more on their own level.

Scoring is the main issue and when your top scorers have single digit points per game, it tells the story. Combine this with all those turnovers, it is no wonder it has been a nightmare. But, the only way is up now!

14. Chinese Taipei (+2) 

Tournament Record: 0-4

As long as their superb marquee baller Yu-Wen Hsiao is firing, Chinese Taipei always have a chance in this last phase of the competition to attain an even more respectable finish. They can do that starting with Egypt in what looks like a finely balanced game on paper.

Hsiao has done it all and been a standout baller in the Spanish capital, but there has not been a lot from the rest of the roster and they still suffer from not being great rebounders as a group. Plus, their field goal shooting has to be better to climb higher.

13. China  (-5)

Tournament Record: 0-4

It's been a forgettable tournament so far for China, the peak being when they not only lost to Egypt but blew a 32-point lead which is almost unforgivable. While this was never going to be a roster capable of making a push towards the podium, to be 0-4 and also have been swept aside is alarming.

One of their main issues has been their poor rebounding which is not something they traditionally struggle with. They've been wasteful around the basket and except for Qingyang Li and Duoloing Hu, it's been dismal stuff in general.

12. Egypt   (+3) 

Tournament Record: 1-3

This ranking is based on their ability to push Chinese Taipei and get their second win of the competition. Whatever happens, they will walk away from Madrid proudly, having delivered one of the greatest moments and best ever comebacks at a FIBA event.

The victory against China will be talked about for a long time. Jana Elalfy has met expectation and been phenomenal and now everyone knows why she was recruited by UConn. It would be a pity if Egypt do fade away, but they do look capable of getting at least one more victory. 

11. Italy   (-)

Tournament Record: 1-3

Nothing has really changed from where Italy were expected to be. Without Matilde Villa, their leader, the Quarter-Finals were always an unlikely destination. Both Eleonora Villa and Vittoria Blasigh have stepped up impressively to fill the void of their absent playmaker.

Overall, Italy have been solid but just not had that extra edge needed. Peel back the details and they are in the middle of the pack in almost all statistical categories. They had a rough start in their first couple of games but have stabilized and will be targeting 9th spot.

10. Germany   (-)

Tournament Record: 1-3

Germany were just a bucket away from the Quarter-Finals and after an agonizing loss to Frace in the Round of 16, must now pick themselves up and try to finish strong. They probably should have beaten their European rivals and this is the big fish that jumped off the hook.

Frieda Buhner has been really good and led the team so well, with Annika Soltau effective too. But, Germany have not had that third or fourth player contributing consistently and they could have probably done more on the boards as a team at both ends.

9. Australia   (-6)

Tournament Record: 1-3

Surely few if anybody saw Australia losing three of their first four games and not being able to beat Spain, France or Mali has left them swallowing a bitter pill of missing the Quarter-Finals for the first time ever. They have had far too many turnovers and 25 per game is absolutely eye-watering.

They have certainly not played with the usual composure you expect from teams wearing the gold and green. It's not about opinions when you miss the Top 8 - it's the salty and unpleasant reality of what has happened. 

8. Mali  (+4) 

Tournament Record: 3-1

What is there left to say about Mali? And, most importantly, the tour de force that is Maimouna Haidara? Evoking shades of Sika Kone who was the whirlwind before her in 2021, the forward has picked up the baton from her senior teammate and blown away every defender that has stood before her with a breathtaking tournament.

But she has had support as well via Sira Thienou and Mama Cisse. Aggressive, physical, intense, loose and tricky to play against, Mali can ball and will be an absolute handful in the last three days.

7. Czech Republic   (-)

Tournament Record: 3-1

It's kind of going along with the pathway that was laid out in the first volume of the Power Rankings, with Czech Republic taking fuel from the terrific Dominka Paurova and also from Emma Cechova. The former in particular has been superb, with Cechova close to a tournament double-double.

Valentyna Kadlecova has also come to the party and the Czechs are a dangerous unit for sure. They have real offensive rhythm, share the ball so well and that feeds into their team basketball ethos. It's a pity for them that the USA is next up.

6. Lithuania   (-)

Tournament Record: 3-1

The U18 European champions from last year have been more or less where it was expected and things have went to script. The game with Japan always looked like the decider in the Group Phase and it was a one-shot game they just couldn't win.

Juste Jocyte has led well, without producing that one huge scoring display (is that in the pipeline?). The supporting cast have been impressive, including Gerda Raulusaityte, Rusne Augustinaite and top scorer, Vilte-Andrunaviciute - all showing they are not a one-player team.

5. Japan  (+4) 

Tournament Record: 4-0

From the first game, Japan have hit a high gear. From their explosive outside shooting power, to the way they share and take care of the ball, it has been highly impressive and they are unbeaten.  They have done it as a team and with three leading ballers in Minami Yabu, Haru Owaki and Nanami Tsuno.

But now they must turn up the noise to make the Semi-Finals. They have to do better with their defensive pressure to get more steals, while their outside shooting has went down a little after a red-hot start. 

4. France  (+1) 

Tournament Record: 3-1

And... breathe... Then, you can arrange to have your fingernails repaired French fans! That was a tough and at times unbearable watch in the Round of 16 against Germany because of the tension. In the end it was impressive how the team fought back and took victory.

Anaelle Dutat is really stepping up big now and along with Leila Lacan, those two are spearheading what could yet be a podium finish. But for that to happen, they have to get busier on the glass as a team and someone has to find consistency from behind the arc. 

3. Canada   (+1) 

Tournament Record: 4-0

Canada have caught the eye with their unbeaten campaign and opportunity knocks for Carly Clarke and her team. With Toby Fournier and Cassandre Prosper tearing it up, they can be confident of a possible podium finish and on this form, it's where Canada should end up. Not least because Syla Swords and Delaney Gibb have also shown their quality.

The team have looked after the ball really well and rebounded like their lives depend on it, but seriously? You have got to make a few more free-throws to lock down a sought after medal!

2. Spain   (-)

Tournament Record: 4-0

So far, so good. Everything is going to plan for the hosts who have won two tough games against Australia and France, then coasted in two against weaker opposition in Argentina and Chinese Taipei. Now things get a whole lot more serious. They have such a great backcourt duo if they need in Elena Buenavida and Iyana Martin Carrion, while Carla Brito is so solid in the wing and Awa Fam a powerhouse in the paint.

The tension and expectation is going to reach fever pitch, so it is probably more about whether this group can handle that pressure with possibly three massive games to come. 

1. USA    (-)

Tournament Record: 4-0

You can cut and paste from just about any other of these rankings you have seen at any level in these past years. USA have the depth, quality, power, poise and skills to get back to the top of the podium. That much is clear. They have no massive standout baller this time around, although Chloe Kitts. Joyce Edwards, Londynn Jones, Kira Rice and Breya Cunningham have generally been the ones impressing.

There is nothing to stop them at this point - except maybe an inspired sharp-shooting Spain if they make the Final and the home support rattles the reigning champions.  But they do look like massive favorites right now.

*The power rankings are entirely subjective and are in no way a true, accurate ranking system. All comments are purely those of the author.

 

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