FIBA U19M - Australia, Lithuania go for bronze, third U19 medal in history

PRAGUE (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Australia and Lithuania face off in the bronze medal game of the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship with the winning nation to collect their third medal in tournament history.

Australia would add bronze to their 2003 gold medal and second-place finish from 1995 while Lithuania can add a bronze medal to their trophy case that already includes 2011 gold and 2003 silver.

Australia, who knocked off Spain in the Quarter-Finals, enter the game after losing to Serbia 63-58 in the Semi-Finals.

"We have a bronze medal at stake. That's what matters to us right now," said Australian coach Damian Cotter after the loss to Serbia.

"From the performance (against Serbia), our Quarter-Final was no fluke. The kids stood up and made a run at a great basketball nation and very, very good basketball team. Serbia’s had a great tournament. We had our chances but it didn’t work that way."

Cotter said a key to the game against Lithuania will be ball movement on offense.

"We've got to make sure we play our way. That's the big thing. A little up-tempo and push the ball a little bit and guard it," said the coach.

Lithuania reached the bronze medal game after losing 100-60 to the United States in the final four.

"We're definitely going to bounce back. It's going to be a win or go home situation so we're not going to give up," said Lithuanian center Martinas Geben.

"We definitely have to cut down on our turnovers and crash the boards better."

When asked what it would be like to receive a bronze medal after the game, he added: "It would great, a huge honor."

Before Australia and Lithuania tip off, Spain will take on Canada for fifth place and China will square off with Croatia for seventh place.

FIBA