AHMEDABAD (India) - One is looking to re-establish dominance, while the other hopes to build a new dynasty as China and Australia duke it out for the all the marbles in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026 Final on Sunday.
Game time of the heavyweight clash is set at 19:30 local time at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium, with all of the Emus' attention set on trying to defend the championship they won in 2024 in Jordan.
Some fans and observers believe that the Oceania powerhouse could've accomplished a 'three-peat' had they seen action in the 2022 tilt in Iran but now, they have a chance to spark those talks anew should they repeat.
And they're an overwhelming favorite to do so, having been unbeaten since first setting foot in this biennial youth competition in 2018. In fact, they're now in the midst of a whopping 17-game winning streak.
Win no. 17 came in the Semi-Finals Saturday, a 111-74 victory over Korea to go back to the Big Dance and give themselves an opportunity to go 'back-to-back' - something that this event hasn't seen in 14 years.
The last time that a team did so was, coincidentally, China, when they defended their throne in 2012 in Mongolia, which was actually the second of a 'three-peat' as they also lorded over the 2014 games in Qatar.
It was, furthermore, Team Dragon's last taste of gold, although they managed to take home medals in the contests that followed. The EABA royalty have salvaged bronze in the last three editions of the tournament.
So now, they will try to end what's been a 12-year title drought by denying their foes from Down Under a shot at history in the highly anticipated clash between teams that have yet to lose in the ongoing meet.
Similar to the Aussies, the Chinese are 5-0 thus far, having swept their way into the Final - their first since 2014 as well - after pulling off a shocking 79-66 victory over two-time runners-up New Zealand in the Semi-Finals.
That win not only denied the possibility of another all-Oceania finale, but also enabled the 11-time champs to finally flip the script and beat the Junior Tall Blacks for the first time after losing to them twice in the past.
Now, they want Australia next. But it would definitely be intriguing to see as well how a juggernaut like the Emus would respond to the kind of challenge China could impose given that this is their first meeting ever.
But maybe, a bit of familiarity could play a factor. While this could be the opening chapter of a potential rivalry, some of their players have already met one another in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup Final just last year.
The Crocs did win that one, 85-58, as the squad that featured Will Hamilton, Antonio Browne, and Josh McCann bested an opposing crew bannered by Zhang Yizhaojie, who earned a spot in the All-Star Five.
These players mentioned - along with some others - are currently competing in this historic Indian city, and those who have been watching the games are surely curious as to how their experiences would help the teams.
Meanwhile, battling it out for a spot at the podium would be Korea and New Zealand in the Third-Place Game at 16:30, with the former hoping to win their first medal since winning it all in 2022 for title no. 4.
The Classification Rounds will also conclude on Sunday. Former Group A adversaries Philippines and Chinese Taipei are set for a rematch at 10:30 for 7th, with old rivals Iran and Japan to fight for 5th place at 13:30.
All games will be streamed live on FIBA's official YouTube channel.
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