Group F Review - Unbeaten Russia claim top spot as Spain settle for second in Group F, Czech Republic and Korea join them in the last Eight

BRNO (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - Russia stunned Spain in the fourth quarter to win a battle of unbeatens and finish top of Group F at the FIBA World Championship for Women on Wednesday night.

Russia won all six of their games in Brno and will now face Belarus in the last eight on Friday in Karlovy Vary while Spain will go up against France.

Becky Hammon buried 10 of her game-high 27 points in the final frame to propel Russia to a 76-67 triumph.

Earlier in the day, the Czech Republic broke open a close game in the fourth quarter and beat Brazil 84-70 to set up a Quarter-Final meeting with Australia.

In the process, the Czechs ended the South Americans' hopes of reaching the last eight and sealed a place instead for Korea.

The Koreans scraped a 65-64 victory over Japan and will meet Team USA in the next round.

Spain looked to be in control early in the fourth quarter in their game against Russia before they fell apart.

Trailing 60-54 with 8:49 to go, Russia went on a 16-0 run and Spain never recovered.

Hammon scored eight points in that run while Irina Osipova contributed six.

Osipova finished with 14 points and eight boards.

"It was a tough game," said Hammon. "Spain is a very good team but we played hard and did a good job of minimising our mistakes.

"We were a little out of sorts in the first quarter but we settled in at the end and we hit big shots which always helps.

"I am proud of my team. Our post players hit some very good shots.

"Our goal was to finish top of this group and it feels very good."

Hammon's three-pointer put the Russians in front for good with 5:42 remaining.

Spain were outrebounded 47-32.

"When you play against a team like Russia, you cannot afford to make the mistakes we did in the fourth quarter because they will punish you," said Valdemoro, who led Spain with 21 points.

Sancho Lyttle had 10 of her 16 points in the first half.

Earlier in the day, Iziane's game-high 24 points was not enough to see Brazil come out triumphant.

Trailing 60-56 early in the fourth quarter, Brazil were held to just two points over the next five minutes as the Czechs went on a 10-2 run to take control.

Ivana Vecerova scored five points in that run that gave the home side a 70-58 advantage.

Brazil closed the gap to 10 (74-64) with 2:06 remaining but got no closer.

"We knew it would be tough but we played great defense in the fourth quarter and that made the difference," said Czech forward Eva Viteckova, who led her team with 27 points, 22 of which came in the second half.

The win assured the Czechs of a third-place finish in the pool with Korea taking fourth.

The Czechs will now face Australia in the last 16.

"They will be favourites," said Viteckova.

"But we will not go down without a fight because we want to do well in front of our home fans."

The Czechs certainly proved that against Brazil.

Trailing 36-34 at half-time, the Czechs forced Brazil into committing six turnovers and went on a 18-5 run for a 54-41 lead with four minutes to go in the quarter.

Viteckova had nine points in that run.

The South Americans bounced back from the dead and hit back with an 11-2 run to cut the gap, 56-52.

"I think our chances of going far in the tournament were crashed in our first game not in this one," said Iziane.

"We played better today but we still made mistakes and we have to accept it."

The Czechs got 17 fast-break points.

Korea won the battle of Asia against Japan in the first Group F game of the day.

Japan trailed 60-50 midway through the fourth quarter when they mounted a furious comeback.

Fukimazu Kakagawa's side forced Korea to commit four consecutive turnovers and scored nine unanswered points to cut the gap to one with 2:34 to go.

Korea hit back with a 5-2 run, with Yoon Ji Kim scoring four of the points, to lead 65-61 with nine seconds remaining.

Asami Yoshida's three-ball with two seconds to go wasn't enough for Japan as Korea held on for victory.

"I have to thank all of my players," said Korea coach Chik dal Lim.

"Some of them were not 100% and yet they played very well.

"If we succeed in reaching the Quarter-Finals, it would be a great experience for our young players."

Korea, who were still without four injured players, got a game-high 21 points from captain Sunmin Jung.

Jung had 16 points in the first half as Korea led 33-28.

She also dished out six assists and came up with four of her team's four steals.

Japan got 18 second-chance points.

"We knew we had to win by four to have a chance of going to the Quarter-Finals," said Japan captain Yuko Oga, who led her team with 17 points.

"We are disappointed with the defeat.

"Both teams knew each others' style of play and we should have played more aggressively in order to win this game.

"Now our aim is to finish ninth."

Fans of Korea, Russia, Spain and the Czech Republic can see their team's Quarter Final game live on FIBATV.com.

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