BRNO (Czechia) - The FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals witnessed a sublime display from Australia as they cut down Canada, while holders USA soared past Spain.
Having secured at least a silver medal, Australia will now be hoping they can repeat that kind of level when they face the reigning champions who swept aside Spain.
Australia into Semi-Finals after super team effort
Just when Australia needed it most, they turned up the dial with their best display of the tournament as they claimed a vibrant and impressive 87-75 success against Canada.
Their rotations, physicality and decision-making all fed into a beautifully balanced effort, which saw them make 21 of 22 free throws and 50% from downtown.
Further emphasizing their team-ethic, five players made it into double figures in scoring. Sitaya Fagan, Monique Bobongie and Zara Russell all netted 14 points, with Bonnie Deas showing her leadership again with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Jasmine Bascoe replied with a huge 29 points for Canada, while Avery Howell kept them in contention with 6 triples en-route to 20 points.
USA one step away from defending title after sinking Spain
For the first 15 minutes of this Semi-Final contest, Spain more than matched the holders. But USA put their foot on the gas either side of half-time and left their opponents trailing with a scorching 19-2 run and that proved to be the basis for a 70-58 win.
Jazzy Davidson started to heat back up and was at the heart of USA's best work with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals. Saniyah Hall maintained her momentum in the race to be crowned TISSOT MVP by adding 16 points, while Jordan Lee posted her best game so far with 15 points, 5 boards, 3 assists and 2 steals.
Drama as Japan shoot down Hungary in dramatic clash
The battle to claim a top five place will see Japan having the opportunity to meet their mission on the last day of the competition after they came out 78-76 on top of Hungary in a nail-biting encounter.
They scored the last 5 points of the game with just a handful of seconds remaining to get the job done, with Riona Matsumota dropping 21 points, She was just one three-pointer away from matching Japan's all-time record.
France fly past Portugal
Having only just been pushed out by red-hot favorites USA in the Quarter-Finals, France had little difficulty in getting past Portugal 81-51 to set up a Sunday meeting with Japan for 5th place.
They flew out of the blocks with a strong start and had no cause to look back, bolstered by a fine double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds from Sarah Cisse.
Other results
- Gal Raviv showed out spectacularly yet again with 38 points for Israel as they edged their way past China 84-79 as they continue their aim of finishing 9th. The joint best all-time points tally, it was also the second best in history in terms of field goals made and 2-point field goals made.
- Korea crept past Nigeria 85-79 off the back of five different players all putting up double-digit scoring returns, with Yunha Song and Minji Lee sharing 34 points.
- It was fifth time lucky for Brazil as they came back from behind to win against South American arch rivals Argentina 68-62 and record their first victory of the 2025 edition. Ayla McDowell went to work with 18 points, while Manu Alves had 12 points and 13 rebounds.
FIBA