Four teams stay perfect, China stun Spain ahead of U19 Women's Worlds knockout stage

CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - Group play is in the books at the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship with four teams still flawless and yet to taste defeat ahead of the Round of 16.

All four groups ended up with the same breakdown of an undefeated 3-0 winner, with Russia storming to the top of Group A after wrapping up a third straight win, courtesy of a 71-47 success against Netherlands.

Maria Vadeeva was as scintillating as usual, this time racking up 15 points and 14 rebounds as Russia booked a date with Egypt who finished bottom of Group B.

Meanwhile Chinese Taipei took their first victory with a 60-56 triumph against Argentina thanks mainly to Yu-Lien Hsu who amassed 16 points and 11 boards.

The triumph ensured Argentina finished rock bottom and without a win in Group A - although Victoria Llorente did her best to avoid that scenario with a mesmerising 25 points and 22 rebounds.

Defending champions USA are firmly on course to retain their title after finding little difficult in despatching Egypt 104-41. They locked down their rivals down for the whole of the fourth period as Lauren Cox racked up 10 points and 17 rebounds. The result kept them perfect and allowed them to finish top of Group B and that now sets up a meeting against Argentina.

Spain were left stunned by China as they fell to third place in Group B after suffering a 66-63 loss. This means second place China will play Chinese Taipei in an all-Asian affair, with Spain paired against Netherlands in the Round of 16.

Belgium have been one of the headlines of the tournament, with the newcomers ensuring they finished the first phase perfect and top of Group C.

Arvid Diels and his team finished strongly to claim an eye-catching 67-52 win against Canada as captain Julie Allemand contributed 19 points and added a super nine assists, while Heleen Nauwelaers added 18 points and eight boards.

France had to settle for second in the Group after breezing their way to a 69-50 win over Mali. Marie-Michelle Milapie corralled 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Marylie Limousin top scored with 14 points.

The fourth unbeaten team in the tournament is Australia and it was one-way traffic as they kept their unbeaten record intact via an 87-38 win against Korea.

Fifteen-year-old Eziyoda Magbegor and Lauren Scherf combined for 25 points and the Gems will play next against Mali, while Korea will tussle with Belgium.

Serbia clinched second place in Group D and will face Canada after they outlasted Brazil, 80-75, in overtime. Trailing by 17 points in Vidnoe, Snezana Bogicevic led the revival with a stellar 17 points and 15 rebounds, while captain Julijana Vojinovic also did the business with a 19-point haul.

The loss for Brazil means they will lock horns with France for a coveted place in Friday’s Quarter-Finals.

Here are the Round of 16 match-ups by venue (all times local):
Vidnoe Sport Centre
13:00 - France-Brazil
15:15 - Mali-Australia
17:30 - Argentina-USA 
19:45 - Netherlands-Spain

Chekhov Sport Centre
13:30 - Canada-Serbia
15:45 - Belgium-Korea
18:00 - Russia-Egypt
20:15 - Chinese Taipei-China

FIBA