FIBA - Poland needs stunning overtime to stay undefeated

HAMBURG (FIBA U17 World Championship) – As expected, Korea tried to set the pace of the game by establishing their beloved run-and-run style. Canada went with it at ease and Roy Rana's squad showed great effort on transition defense in a 95:74 win. What Korea could not get done as a team, Kevin Pangos did single-handedly: he knew when and how to slow down. The 17 year old set up Canada's halfcourt sets in order to build a game-winning lead midway through the third quarter.

Both China and Argentina came into tuesday with a 1-2 record in search of their second win to make a push for the quarter-finals. China rose to the challenge, as guard Ailun Guo had a standout-game with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in this 76:64 win. Although the southern Americans led through halftime Guo and company took over the game at the 6:00 minutes mark (63:60) of the thir quarter and never looked back

It took a late push from Poland's second unit to set up what ended being the first overtime game, with Spain suffering a tough 82:88 loss to their european neighbors. Spain already got two losses under their belts, so in order to have a shot at the quarter-finals coach Diego Ocampo's troops desperately needed a win. Poland trailed most of the game, as their reserves launched a furious comeback that ultimately gave them the upside of the scoreboard (70-69) with five minutes to play in regulation. With the score at 76-77 and 46.7 seconds left on the clock Spain had the chance for the go-ahead basket, but Daniel Diez de la Faya missed on an open three point attempt. Karnowski hit 1-of-2 freebies to tie the score at 77-77.

Jaime Fernandez got the ball in his hands as run time out for a cecisive layer, but Tomasz Gielo skyed in from behind to get a piece of it, swatting the ball into the stands for the first overtime. In the extra session Mateusz Ponitka converted on a three point play at the 3:00 minute mark to give Poland the 84-81 lead, little later Michal Michalak scored a running layer (87-81) to secure the win.

Egypt fought at its best to challenge the USA, but literally was overrun by the group A leader in a 132-64 blowout. Seven american players ended in double-figures, with Bradley Beal and Michael Gilchrist (18 each) leading the way. The only player on coach Don Showalters squad not to score a single point was Anthony Wroten, who, being a true point guard, dished out 8 assists. Ahmed Hamdi scored 18 points in a losing effort.

Australia came away with a 62:58 win, but had to take a long breather, as hosts Germany cut the gap to two points during the last minute of game time. Germany fell behind by 24 points in the third quarter, before coach Frank Menz decided to run a full court press. Jakob Krumbeck hit an open three pointer, followed by a running floater by Bogdan Radosavljevic (48-40, 34min). Australia's guard Daniel Hill took matters into his own hands hitting a huge trey to reinforce a bigger lead (55-41, 37min). Germany came within two points of a miraculous fightback, but Hill and co kept cool from the free thow line in the final two minutes.

Going into the second half with an eleven point lead, Serbia could not stand the Lithuanian push as they lost 71:74 in a thrilling battle. Either team had a 2-1 record going into this matchup, knowing a win would most likely secure a spot in the quarter-finals. To Serbia it was even more urgent, as they will face the USA in their final group stage game. In the second half, Lithuania controlled the pace, ran the floor quicker, so Serbia had to go switch to a smaller lineup. Serbia, who was in shock as they fell behind, had the chance to tie the game with one last possession in regulation, but two three point attempts just hit the rim.

Standings:

Group A
USA 4/0
LTU 3/1
SRB 2/2
CHN 2/2
ARG 1/3
EGY 0/4

Group B
POL 4/0
CAN 3/1
AUS 2/2
GER 2/2
ESP 1/3
KOR 0/4

FIBA / JB