RUS/ESP - Russia surprise confident Spain

TOULOUSE (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) – Russia beat Spain 72-52 on Day 7 of FIBA U17 World Championship for Women and will play either Australia or Japan in Sunday’s fifth-place game.

Russia took advantage early in the first period, getting easy baskets on the break. Spain countered by attacking the basket to draw fouls and hit on all nine of their free throw attempts to lead 16-13 after 10 minutes.

The Spaniards played some efficient defense in the first part of the second period. However, Ksenia Tikhonenko and Galina Kisevela then found their rhythm offensively and helped Russia edge in front 31-30 at halftime.

Anna Arkhipova-von Kalmanovich’s girls opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run as Kisevela continued to have the hot hand and they also benefited from Spain’s lack of discipline on defense that resulted in 11 free-throw attempts in the period alone.

Up 51-40 to start the final frame, Tikhonenko – who finished with 27 points and nine rebounds – took over down the stretch and helped her team increase the lead until the final whistle.

Quotes

Anna Arkhipova-von Kalmanovich (Russia head coach): We had a difficult night (on Friday). It’s always hard to get over a loss in the quarter-finals. We played against the U16 European champions. Spain is a great team. We tried to show our best. I want to thank my girls because they showed character and heart today. Sometimes it is more important to come up with a strong willingness and great character than to win a medal.

Victor Lapena (Spain head coach): Congratulations to Russia, because they came with a greater willingness to win than we did. It was a great game. I didn’t recognise my team today. I tried everything to win this game but it wasn’t enough.

FIBA/LOC