2019 Fiba U19 Women's World Cup

[carlo]

Back to the start, Australia-USA is the final. US women were really tested by tough Belgium in the last 15' and they made it through thanks to a couple of fine shots by Howard and Bueckers, their best talents here, so far. Excellent performance of Belgium's Lisowa Mbaka, great moves and touch. US team was outrebounded by Belgian bigs and very seldom shot from three. Australia overcame a horrible start and finished by comfortably win against a faded Spain.

[carlo]

What a final! US is champ after beating Australia at OT, on a really tight game with neither team capable of opening the break. With the Gems ahead by 2 in the last seconds, the score was tied on a great sideline play Bueckers-Van Lith. Excellent defense of Belibi and Hillmon-Baker and a big shot by Howard put US team ahead for good on OT. Huge effort and big challenge from a greatly improved Australia in this final game. US team was heavily missing shots and at a point it looked like the big shocker was around the corner.
Spain is bronze after edging a strong Belgium, worth to be mentioned China 5th over Canada and a surprising Mali 7th over Japan.

All-Tournament:
Paige Bueckers, USA (MVP)
Rhyne Howard, USA
Lola Pendande, ESP
Alexandra Fowler, AUS
Billie Massey, BEL

[JGX]

lol that one is gonna sting for the aussies

US team never quite clicked but they made the necessary plays at the end of the last two games. I was impressed with Belibi, she has improved a lot the last couple years.

[JGX]

Some tournament thoughts from Mike Flynn here:

https://www.bluestarmedia.org/usa-gets-fiba-u19-gold-medal-in-ot-fashion/

He says that the talent level was down. I don't think the shooting was actually appreciably worse than normal--it is always bad--but he is probably right about the lack of star power. He opines that Sika Kone from Mali was the best player in the tournament.