FIBA U19W - Italy, Canada clash headlines a big Day Three in Chile

PUERTO MONTT (2011 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - First place in Group A will be on the line when undefeated Canada and Italy meet on day three of the FIBA U19 World Championship in Chile.
 
Canada were superb in their opening day rout of China, and easily took care of Egypt yesterday. Italy coach Giovanni Lucchesi knows his team faces a tough challenge.

"Canada played a great game against China, so tomorrow's game is very important for us," he said. "All these games are an opportunity for us to stay in the top 12 and get two points, and after that we will see what happens."

Canada guard Nirra Fields has been dominant so far, leading the team in scoring and wreaking havoc defensively, while Italy's balanced attack has been led by perimeter trio Debora Carangelo, Giulia Maffenini and Francesca Dotto.

In the win over China, it was Carangelo who stood tall, scoring 19 points and knocking down two enormous three-pointers in the last quarter to finally shake the well organised Chinese team. She will have her work cut out defending the athletic Fields however, who is shaping as one of the players of the tournament.

"She is a tremendous talent, she is a great athlete and she is a great finisher so she is really tough to stop," said Canada coach Rich Chambers about his star shooting guard, who leads a full court defence that will test the Italians composure.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the pint-sized Japan team will play fast against Russia as they vie for second place in Group B. "The same plan, the same plan, always the same plan," said coach Eiki Umezaki.

The Asian silver medallists ran Argentina off their feet and provided the USA with a tough showing with their swarming style. Russia on the other hand, were dismantled by the determined Americans.

"Today we played very badly, but believe me, tomorrow we will play well," star Russian centre Ksenia Tikhonenko said after the 76-53 loss.
 
"Their (Japan) players are very fast, and they play the game very quickly, tomorrow we will have to play well," she added. "They are very small so we will have to play through the centres and make it hard for their taller players."

First place in Group C will be taken by the winner of the Australia and France, both of whom have worked hard against Chile before recording comfortable victories. Australia is one of the tallest teams in the tournament, while France play typical half-court French basketball, meaning this could be a tight and physical affair.

Slovenia faces the tough ask of beating Spain without star guard Nika Baric to progress to the Eight Finals, the winner of China and Egypt will advance to the next stage, undefeated Brazil faces Chinese Taipei, who will progress regardless if Spain prevail, while the USA take on Argentina in a game that has no bearing on final placings in Group B.

 
FIBA