Spain win a Semi-Finals thriller to set up Final showdown with USA

MADRID (Spain) - There were celebrations at the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup in Madrid as the locals watched Spain take down Canada in the Semi-Finals to reach the all-important title game.

Spain see off Canada comeback in dramatic and intense battle

Spain are on the road to a potential historic title success after clinging on against Canada to take a memorable  77-70 win a superb advert for the women's game in the Spanish capital. It had looked like they would soar away from their opponents when ahead by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but Canada set up a spine-tingling conclusion by cutting the gap to a point in the closing stages.

However, helped by some excellent work on the glass against the best rebounding team in the competition, Spain managed to see the game out from the free-throw line and spark celebrations on the final buzzer. Iyana Martin Carrion was excellent and influential once again with 24 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Awa Fam also had 17 points and 8 boards.

Toby Fournier had 20 points and 7 rebounds for Canada who will now face France for the bronze medal.

USA shrug off slow start to east past France

Defending champions USA are now just a win away from retaining the trophy after they completed an 80-57 triumph against France. However, the holders didn't have things all their own way and it was their opponents who made a lot of the early running to seal a perfectly balanced 20-20 opening quarter.

"TO WIN THE FINAL, IT WILL TAKE WHAT WE DID AGAINST FRANCE - EFFORT, CONTROLLING WHAT WE CAN, REBOUNDING AND TRUSTING TEAMMATES." - Grace Van Slooten

USA then opened the taps fully in the second period to take control and show their title credentials, while France continued to fight hard after the break. But the tournament favorites had far too much, pouring in 45 bench points and making 8 of 17 from downtown.

It was another strong collective effort from USA, with Grace Van Slooten leading the way as she posted her highest score so far with 13 points, the same netted by Kira Rice. Meanwhile Fatoumata Toure top scored for France with 16 points. 

Photo of the Day

We feel you Mariana Pribylova! Absolutely everyone wants a closer look at this amazing ASB Glass Floor - so you took your opportunity!

Highlight of the Day

 Poetry in motion as Spain put the early run on Canada with some classy transition like this from Florez and began to turn up the heat. 

Other Results

- Brazil celebrated their first win in their penultimate game of the tournament after beating Chinese Taipei 82-59 behind 17 points and 11 boards from Giovanna Rocha da Silva.

- China got off the mark at the sixth attempt as they beat Argentina 76-53 with Wenxia Li on fire and claiming 22 points and 9 assists.

- Japan are gunning for a top five finish after dispatching Czech Republic 67-51 with Nanami Tsuno continuing her impressive work with 14 points and 11 boards, while Dominka Paurova had a sensational 20 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks in defeat.

- Mali will be Japan's opponents on the last day of action after the African side claimed a nail-biting 56-53 victory against Lithuania. Sira Thienou starred with 19 points and 10 rebounds.

- Australia waltzed past Egypt 70-45 in their pursuit of 9th place as Isobel Borlase went to work with 17 points.

- Germany brushed aside Italy with ease 81-57 thanks mainly due to 14 points and 10 rebounds from Frieda Buhner.

Sunday's Games

Final
Spain vs USA

Third Place Game
Canada vs France

Classification 5-8 Place Games
Mali vs Japan (5-6 Place)
Lithuania vs Czech Republic (7-8 Place)

Classification 9-16 Place Games
Australia vs Germany (9-10 Place) 
Egypt vs Italy (11-12 Place) 
Brazil vs China (13-14 Place)
Chinese Taipei vs Argentina (15-16 Place)

FIBA