SWE/CZE - Sweden triumph after last-quarter flurry
BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championships for Women) - A frantic final quarter saw Sweden out-score the Czech Republic 32-21 to win 78-64 in a close FIBA U19 World Championships for Women eighth-final match. The teams had been nip and tuck all game and the score was only 46-43 in the Scandinavians’ favour going into the last 10 minutes, but Louice Halvarsson poured in 10 points to stretch her side’s advantage out and clinch the victory.
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BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championships for Women) - A frantic final quarter saw Sweden out-score the Czech Republic 32-21 to win 78-64 in a close FIBA U19 World Championships for Women eighth-final match.
The teams had been nip and tuck all game and the score was only 46-43 in the Scandinavians’ favour going into the last 10 minutes, but Louice Halvarsson poured in 10 points to stretch her side’s advantage out and clinch the victory.
The sides were fairly evenly matched except from free-throws, where the Czechs made just three of eight attempts (37.5%) compared to Sweden’s 17 of 23 (73.9%).
Seven of those were made by Frida Eldebrink, who also out-scored all her team-mates, including twin sister Elin, on her way to a total of 24 points and eight rebounds.
The tournament top-scorer was prolific throughout, and contributed 10 points as her side notched up a narrow 15-14 lead at the end of the first period.
However, Katerina Bartonova then took centre stage and outdid her rival, pouring in 12 second-quarter points to make it 32-31 in the Czechs' favour at the midway point.
The third period swung from one side to another, but Sweden had the edge going into the last quarter, leading by three points before hitting another gear and edging their way to victory.
David Broome
FIBA