FIBA U19W - Americas are rising; Brazil wants title

PUERTO MONTT (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) – “The talent in the Americas is rising,” was Canada coach Rich Chambers succinct assessment before the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women in Chile began.

Looking back on the Preliminary Round it is hard to argue. Brazil, Canada and the USA all progressed to the Eight-Finals undefeated.

Brazil coach Luis Cicchetto (pictured) is not shy about his team’s goals. “We put in five months work to win the championship. Nothing else,” he said following their 17-point win over Slovenia.

The Brazilians also defeated Spain by seven points and Chinese Taipei by a whopping 38. None of their opponents have been able to cope with their athleticism in the open court, nor their unpredictable but highly effective approach in the half court.

While much of the focus has been on the superb play of forward Damiris Dantas, the entire Brazil team seems capable of defending multiple positions, and scoring from almost anywhere on the court. “We trained for five months before the competition, so my players have many skills,” Cicchetto said.

“So we have many options on the court during the games, and my players are taking the opportunity to show off the training work they have done during the games.”

USA coach Jennifer Rizzotti has certainly notice the difference from the Brazil her team thrashed in the final of the 2010 FIBA U18 Americas Championship. “They look great. They’ve been playing a long time together and it’s paid off,” she said.

“They’ve been weight lifting through the year, so they’re stronger and they’re very fit. I thought that they did a really nice job, especially Tassia (Carcavalli). She was much improved from last year. I was really impressed with her.”

Rizzotti also sees a big difference in the Canada team, and thinks they are a genuine threat too. “I expect them to be a challenge,” she said. “They’ve combined their U18 and U19 teams and they’ve found their best 12. In the past they have struggled to be efficient offensively, but this year they seem to be putting a lot of points on the board.”

How much of that is to do with Nirra Fields? “I thought the (2010) U18 team needed a player like her at the guard position. They had struggled against defensive pressure, but she has really made that difference for them this year.”

And while there seems a strong chance the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women title will remain on American soil, none of the coaches are counting their chickens before they hatch. “My players are playing well but we still have a long way to improve,” said Rizzotti.

“There are so many good teams in this tournament, it’s really up for grabs and we are just taking it one game at a time,” said Chambers.

“First we have some important games to win,” Cicchetto said frankly, but after their form in the preliminary round, who would bet against Brazil doing exactly that?

Paulo Kennedy

FIBA