Canada U19-Korea U19 99:83 (23:18, 19:27, 28:22, 29:16)

Canada U19 was managed to go on a 2-3 record in Group F of FIBA U19 World Championship. Korea and Canada both had 1-3 before the game with each other, however the North Americans took the 5th spot so far. Kai Williams (198-F-89) was unstoppable for the winners nailing 27 points and 12 rebounds. Devoe Joseph (191-G-90) chipped in 16 and John House scored 10. Kim Min Seup (195-F-88) with his threes ended up with 22 points.

Canada got an important win, however was upset finding out that Turkey won the game also. The Canadians edged the opening quarter, but were pegged back to 23:23 early in the second. Korea showed a well-balanced game and dominated in the second quarter. By the half time the Asians had three points deficit as they led 48:45.

It took Canada some time to catch up the opponents. In the third quarter Kai Williams returned Canada to 63:63. Right after that his team was too far from Korea. Inspired by the lead Canada increased the lead to 99:83 in the end.
Today Canada faces Argentina in the last game of the day. Korea will have another battle with Turkey.

Canada U19: Kai Williams 27+12 rebs, Devoe Joseph 16, John House 10
Korea U19: Kim Min Seup 22, Yoo Seung Ho (203-C-88) 17

France U19-Serbia U19 62:79 (14:15, 21:19, 16:17, 11:28)

France U19 that was the undefeated team in Group E lost to the hosts of FIBA U19 World Championship. Serbia had an outstanding performance in the last quarter and stun the French squad. Marko Keselj (208-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) (208-F-88, agency: Beo Basket) led the winners with 18 points. Milan Macvan (206-F/C-89) netted 16, while Boban Marjanovic (216-C-88) scored 15 points and made 10 rebounds. Alexis Ajinca (214-C-88) top-scored for France netting 14 points. Serbia reached France in the group as both teams stay second with 4-1.

France failed twice in the game: in the beginning and in the end. They could recover from the first run, but did not have strength for the second. Serbia went into a 7-0 lead early on but their opponents had reined them in by the midway point of the first quarter. Serbia led one point after first 10 minutes with 15:14 on the board. Meanwhile France took that as a lesson and won the first half 35:34.
The game became more interesting as Serbia tied the score and sent both teams to the final quarter. In the last one the game however was only seen by the hosts. Dusan Katnic (193-G-89) and Mladen Jeremic (195-G-88) early in the fourth put Serbia's noses in front with 70:57. The game was done while the final score is 79:62.
Today France play USA while Serbia take on Lithuania.

France U19: Alexis Ajinca 14, Ludovic Vaty (206-F-88) 10
Serbia U19: Marko Keselj 18, Milan Macvan 16, Boban Marjanovic 15+10 rebs

Australia U19-Argentina U19 79:78 (22:13, 16:16, 30:19, 11:30)

Argentina U19 had a thriller over the leader of Group F Australia. Trailing in the whole game the latinos came back with 30:11 in the last. That was however not enough to upset the Emus as they won 79:78 in FIBA U19 World Championship. Andrew Ogilvy (211-C/F-88) led the winners with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Daniel Jackson (201-F-88) posted 14 points and Pat Mills added 12. Nicolas Aguirre (182-G-88) was on top of the scoring list for Argentina with 16 points.

Australia started the game as if they had to and led 22:13 after the opening quarter. The second stanza started with a 9-0 run for Australia fueled by Andrew Ogilvy. When the score was 31:13, Argentina bounced back with 38:29 at the half.

Australians increased to 20-point, 68:48 with only 10 minutes remaining. The game was over...but not for Argentina. They started the last quarter with a 7-0 run. The latinos made everything they wanted in the court winning the last 30:11. Unfortunately that was not enough to reach the Emus.

Today Argentina meets Canada in the last game of the day, while Australia faces Spain for the first place in the group.

Australia U19: Andrew Ogilvy 18+12 rebs, Daniel Jackson 14+7 rebs, Pat Mills 12, Shannon Seebohm (190-G-88) 11
Argentina U19: Nicolas Aguirre 16, Leandro Cecchi (201-G/F-88) 11

Brazil U19-USA U19 65:104 (16:30, 15:15, 17:33, 17:16)

Brazil U19 lost to the favorite of FIBA U19 World Championship, USA 65:104. The loss sent Latinios to the 4/5 places with Lithuania as both teams has 2-3 record. A 14-1 run in the opening period put the beginning of the USA's storm. Michael Beasley (204-F-89) paced the winners with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Patrick Beverley (185-G-88) ended up with 13 points as three other players produced 11. Paulo Prestes (208-C-88) was the one who reached the double digits nailing 26 points and 13 rebounds.
Brazil U19 could not prepare well for the game against USA. The latter was on fire as they remembered the tough win over Lithuania last time. The USA
started with 14-1 run in the opening quarter and never looked behind. Brazil had a nice second quarter and tied it with 15 points for both teams. That gave USA 45:31 lead by the half time.
Another disaster saw Brazil in the third quarter as they lost it 17:33. When the game was over for Brazil they managed to win the last quarter 17:16 and lost poorly 65:104.
Today USA faces France and Brazil will meet China.

Brazil U19: Paulo Prestes 26+13 rebs, Jose Nardi Duarte (193-G/F-88) 8
USA U19: Michael Beasley 16+9 rebs, Patrick Beverley 13

   Four teams stay undefeated in World Championship - Jul. 17, 2007 
Four teams stay undefeated in U19 World Championship in Serbia. Australia and Spain hold the Group F with 4-0, while USA and France have the same record in Group E.

In Group E Lithuania U19 gave a real battle to the USA losing only 81:90 in U19 World Championship. The United States increased to 4-0 leaving Lithuania at 1-3. David Lighty (196-G/F-88) led the way for the winners with 19 points. Deon Thompson (203-F-88) produced 17 points, while Patrick Beverley (185-G-88) ended up with 14. Deividas Gailius (200-F-88) top-scored for the Baltic team with 19 points. Lithuania started as if they were undefeted team in the tournament. The team spent much of the first period trailing, but battled back to 19:18 after the first 10 minutes. USA came back to the game and after some baskets from the leaders had 45:39 by the half-time. In the third quarter Lithuania broke up and saw a nightmare in the court. USA increased the lead to 18 points and finished the third at 75:57.
Although Lithuania woke up in the last quarter time was the key for the winners. The Baltic team won the fourth 24:15 and cut to 81:90 in the end.

With both at 2-1 before the game with each other Serbia grabbed an important win over Brazil to take the third spot. Brazil had a good opening quarter and the beginning of the second. Later on Serbia kepr the games in their hands and did not allow Brazil to take over. Milan Macvan (206-F/C-89) was unstoppable for the hosts nailing 36 points to lead Serbia to an 87:75 victory. Mladen Jeremic (195-G-88) posted 19 points, while Marcovik produced 14. Jose Nardi Duarte (193-G/F-88) led the way for the South Americans with 22 points. Serbia U19 supported by 2500 fans went on a 13:8 lead in the opening quarter. The Brazilians find themselves ending the first at 22:21. Right after that Brazil took a 24:23 lead in the beginning of the second. Meanwhile Serbia, leading by Milan Macvan closed the half with 44:34.
In the second half Milan Macvan moved the hosts to 67:55 in the end of the third. The last quarter did not bring any changes in the difference of the score. Both teams played tough game with Serbia holding the score and Brazil trying to catch up. As a result 20:20 in the last and Serbia celebrates 87:75 win.
France smashed China 106:57 with 23 points from edwin Jackson.

In Group F Australia stays unbeaten after a win over Korea 135:79. Andrew Ogilvy (211-C/F-88) led the winners with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Daniel Jackson (201-F-88) produced 18, Daniel Johnson (211-C-88) 17 and Chris Goulding (190-G-88) 15 points. Kim Sunhyung (186-G-88) top-scored for Korea with 22 points.
The game started very fast and Korea was luckier to go on 4-2 lead. That was their only lead of the game. The first quarter was pretty balanced though Australia finished with 28:22 after 10 minutes. The Emus started the second period making a 14-0 run. Korea lost the half with 29:57, however still stayed on track.
The second half looked like the second quarter, Daniel Jackson fed Ogilvy under the basket for a nice dunk to extend the lead to 74:38. In the end of the third quarter

Australia was keeping the score to 99:60 going into the final period. Korea tried to defense, but a 36-19 mauling over the last 10 minutes rounded off the game in fitting style. Korea lost the game 79:135 and fell at 1-3 in Group F.
Canada fell at 1-3 leaving Spain undefeated in FIBA U19 World Championship. Spain triumphed with an 83:69 victory to increase at 4-0 in Group F. Xavier Forcada (195-G-88) led the way for the victors with 18 points and 9 rebounds. Javier Vega (206-C-88) contributed with 16 points, while Victor Clave (206-F/C-88) added 15 points. Kai Williams (198-F-89) and Devoe Joseph (191-G-90) top-scored for Canada scoring 21 points each.Canada U19 went on a 2-0 lead after Scott Brittain (206-F-88) made a jump-shot. Spain answered with some baskets, took control and never looked behind. Europeans stretched away to lead 21:16 at the end of the first quarter.In the second quarter the 5 points lead was increased to 7 as Spain hold a 41:34 advantage at half-time. In the second half Canada tried to come closer but could not. Spain had a great defense and proved that the team will struggle at least for the first place in the group. Canada's task now is to advance to the Quarterfinal.
Argentina beat Turkey 68:59 with Aguierre 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Lebanon and Mali opened the first day of the Classification Round. In the game between two winless teams Lebanon was stronger winning 76:56. The team won all the quarters and dominated in the court. Roudy Farraj (187-G-88) top-scored for the winners with 29 points and 7 rebounds. Miguel Martinez (188-G-88) ended up with 20, while Abi Mrad posted 11 points. Mahamane Haidara (194-F-90) stayed on top for Mali with 15 points. In the game between two teas that did not taste the win of the Championship this year Lebanon looked more confident. From the first minutes the team took a control of the game however increased the lead from the quarter to quarter. As for Mali they showed the better offense in the third quarter nailing 15 points. That period was also the toughest as Lebanon won only 2 points at that period of time. Waly Coulibaly (187-G/F-88) who is usually top-scores for Mali ended up with 12 points and showed the second result in the team.
In another game of the Classification Nigeria beat Puerto Rico 97:77. Today Lebanon faces Nigeria in the first game of the day and will find out probably the winner of the Round. In another game Mali will meet Puerto Rico.

   Third win for Serbia - Jul. 17, 2007
After lost against USA in the third preliminary round Serbian U19 National Team celebrated over Brazil 87:75 recording third win in eight-final group E so they are currently on the third place behind France and USA who are still unbeatable. Brazil had plus 1 after first 10 minutes but Serbia succeeded to make 44:34 on the half time. Maximum advantage during the game was plus 17 for the hosts. It seemed that winner is already known but then Brazilians started to play much better while Serbia played too nervously with lot of mistakes which resulted with 71:66 in the center of last quarter. At the end Brazil missed 5 FT and 1:57 until the end Jeremic confirmed win with successful 3-pts shot for 80:71. Milan Macvan (206-F/C-89) poured in 36 points and grabbed 7 rebounds while Mladen Jeremic (195-G-88) added 19 points, 4 rebounds and 5 steals. Center Paulo Prestes (208-C-88) was the best for Brazil making double-double 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Serbia will meet France today at 18:00h.

Serbia - Brazil 87:75
(21:22,23:12,23:21,20:20)

Serbia: Jeremic 19 (4 rebs, 5 st), Despotovic, Katnic 2, Markovic 14 (3 as), Keselj 2, Radulovic, Stojacic 4, Cakarevic 2, Macvan 36 (7 rebs), Raduljica 2, Marjanovic 6 (10 rebs)
Cupkovic.
Brazil: Verzolana 13, Bramorski 1, Melazzo 7, B. Ferreira, Duarte 22, Santos, Souza, Ortega 9 (5 st), R. Ferreira 4, Silva, Limonta, Prestes 20 (14 rebs).

   The end of the Preliminary Round - Jul. 15, 2007 
Preliminary Round waived to the teams and sent 3 from each of 4 groups to the Eighth-Finals.

In Group A Lebanon U19 lost all three games of FIBA U19 World Championship. In the last game of the group the team was defeated by France 58:100. Nicolas Batum (201-F-88) led the winners with 15 points. Adrien Moerman (203-F/C-88) produced 14, while Ludovic Vaty (206-F-88) added 11 points and 10 rebounds. Mohamad Hamdar (202-C-88) was the best for the Asians with 12 points. Unbeaten France completed their Group A on the top with 3-0 and advanced to the Eighth Finals. Lebanon will struggle in the Classification Round for 13-16 places. Even though France advanced to the Eighth Finals earlier Richard Billant started with his strongest five. That led France to 26:18 in the opening quarter. By the half time Europeans had 50:32 and it was clear at that time that Lebanon could not hope for the win.Things got worse for the Asians in the third period as they were defetaed 12:27. In the last quarter Lebanon played their game, while France eagered to achieve 100. They fabulously managed their task and won 100:58.

In Group D Spain stayed undefeated after a win over Korea. The Asians lost to Spain 80:97 and finished at 1-2. Xavier Forcada (195-G-88) led the winners with 23 points. Javier Claver posted 19 points and made 7 rebounds, while Juan Cabot (200-F-88) chipped in 14. Kim Min Seup (195-F-88) was again on top for Korea producing 13 points. With no losses in Group A Spain qualified to the Eighth Finals being the favorite. The Europeans started with 19:16 and did not look much better than the opponents. After Korea reduced to 1 point Spain created a 10-1 run. The first half ended up with 49:34 for Spain. Korea did not give up and stormed back with 59:54. That was a good lesson for the favorites and they mounted in another run, that time with 15-2. Spain reached the third win, however Korea satisfied with Puerto Rico's loss.
Argentina demolished Puerto Rico 112:72 in the last game of the Preliminary Round.

   Second day results and news - Jul. 14, 2007
Second day waived to 16 teams in FIBA U19 World Championship. It is now a little bit clear which teams probably advanced to the Play-off.
In Group A Lithuania U19 team got the first win in FIBA U19 World Championship. In the second game of the tournament the Baltic team overcame Lebanon 105:69. The latter had the second loss and covers the bottom of Group A with 0-2. Lithuania smashed the opponents in the opening quarter 35:18 and continued to destroy them later. Darius Gvezdauskas (190-G-88) led the winners with 27 points. Deividas Gailius (200-F-88) posted 14, while Vaidas Cepukaitis (207-C-89) and Marius Valukonis added 12. Miguel Martinez top-scored for Lebanon with 16 points.
Lithuania remembered the first pity loss from France and used their power against Lebanon from the first minutes. They pushed them offensively and won the first 35:18. The game had the same pace in the second as Lithuania reached 57:35. At the start of the third quarter a 13-0 blitz capped by another Darius Gvezdauskas effort from long range effectively ended the game as a contest, Lebanon scoring just nine points in the quarter as the fight drained from Adriano Geraldis' men. Even in the end of the third Lithuania could celebrate the win. The coach allowed to play the whole team later in the fourth as Lithuania beat Lebanon 27:25 in the last. As a result it gave them 105:69 win in FIBA U19 World Championship.
In another game France beat Brazil 98:73. Edwin Jackson (190-G-89) (190-G-89) led the winners with 24 points as France increased to 2-0.

In Group B USA and Serbia go for 2-0. USA smashed China 103:77, while Serbia overcame Mali 70:47.Miroslav Raduljica led the hosts with 14 points and 19 rebounds. Marko Keselj posted 13 and Milan Macvan ended up with 11 points. Waly Coulibaly was again the best for Mali producing 17 points. It was another defense we saw Mali in the second game. Remembering 118 from USA, Mali concentrated more in their half and looked well. Serbia however was in front and won the opening 17:14. The hosts began to improve their offensive play and extended their lead to 38:20 at the end of the second quarter. In the second half it was the game of two defensive teams as both squads scored 20 points together(10:10). Boban Marjanovic (216-C-88) helped Serbia to exert their control in the third quarter with 5 points to help his side to a comfortable 48:29 lead. In the last quarter Mali played more opened and could score 17 points. Meanwhile Serbia satisfied with 22 and won the quarter by 5. As a result the Europeans celebrated 70:47 win.

Australia stepped into the next stage beating Nigeria 77:73 in Group C. Ogilvy top-scored for the winners with 19 points. Korea U19 opened the column for the wins in FIBA U19 World Championship. In a fabulous game between Puerto Rico and Korea, the latter celebrated 98:94 win. It allowed the team to tied at 1-1, while the South Americans fell at 0-2. Kim Min Seup led the winners with 23 points. Park Yoo Min (185-G-88) produced 22, while Kim Hyun Ho added 19. Gilberto Clavell (198-F-89) had a great performance for the losing team scoring 29 points and making 13 rebounds. It was the game where the score changed the whole time. In the first quarter Korea had 3 points deficit and finished the first 20:17. Andres Torres' jump shot gave Puerto Rico 38:33 lead, before Korea fought back through Kim Min Seup and Park Yoo Min. In the end of the second quarter Puerto Rico reduced the arrears to just one point at the end to trail 41:40. In the third quarter Korea grabbed another 3 points for the deficit as the teams finished at 68:65 after 30 minutes. A dramatic fourth quarter saw Puerto Rico hold a 90:88 advantage with less than 2 minutes to go. Korea with the help of Park Yoo Min and Kim Hyun Ho take control at 98:92. Even though Josue Soto reduced for the South Americans, Korea celebrated 98:94 win.

In Group D Canada U19 lost the first game in FIBA U19 World Championship. After a win in the opener the team lost to Turkey 58:81. The game was mostly done in the first half as the Europeans had 18 points advantage. Ogun Sevinc (198-F-88) and Can Ozcan (200-F-89) top-scored for the winners with 15 points. Mesut Kadir Cipa netted 14 and made 10 rebounds and Dogus Balbay dished out a game high 10 assists. Boris Bakovic nailed 14 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort. Turkey got off to a much better start thanks to Alpella swingman Ogun Sevinc who had a horrible game yesterday. Turkish team did not get away from the game discipline in the second quarter and Can Ozcan's contribution never let Canada to come back. The North Americans tied only the third quarter but always trailed in the game. Devoe Joseph could not show the same game against Turkey as he did over Nigeria. This time instead of 33 he chipped in only 8. Canada losses the first game and ties at 1-1. Turkey has the same result as they lost to Australia in the opener.
Spain rolled over Argentina 88:68 with Claver's 23 points and 9 rebounds. Spain remains the only undefeated team in the group.

   FIBA U19 World Championship first day results - Jul. 13, 2007
FIBA U19 World Championship started yesterday in Novi Sad, Serbia. All 16 team that are divided into 4 groups opened the stats in the tournament.
In Group A Brazil overcame Lebanon 83:67. The latter won the opening quarter, but could not resist in the end. Prestes led the winners with 18 points and 17 rebounds. Lithuanian U19 team could not start with a win in FIBA U19 World Championship. In a game with a strong France Baltic team had to admit 82:85 loss. That was the first game not only in the group A, however in the Championship as well. Edwin Jackson led the winners with 25 points. Moerman scored 16 and made 10 rebounds, while Diot and Batum added 9 points each. Martynas Gecevicius (193-G-88) and Marius Valukonis (196-F-88) top-scored for Lithuania with 20 points.
Playing with one of the favorites of the Championship Lithuania had a great game. The team however looked nervous in the first half and as a result France won the opening quarter 20:15. The same number of points Lithuania allowed the opponents to score in the second. The latter produced one point moire than in the first as the second quarter ended up with 20:16.
The second half belonged to Lithuania. With a great offensive basketball in the third quarter the Baltic team scored 29 points. The Baltics battled back tied the contest at 77:77 later in the fourth. Although Lithuania won the fourth quarter they could not win the game. France did much of their damage at the free throw line, making 26 of 34, compared to just 8 of 15 for Lithuania. France won the opener 85:82 and moved atop the group.


In Group B USA demolished Mali 118:56. Mali could not score for the first 7 minutes trailing 0-21, however won the second quarter 23:20. Beasley led the winners with 21 points. DeAndre Jordan (208-F/C-88) nailed 18 and made 7 rebounds, while Porter scored 14. Coulibaly was the only one who reached double digits for the Africans netting 22 points.
In the opening quarter USA went on two enormous runs. The first one was the nightmare for Mali as the team could not score until the USA produced 21 points. The Africans got their chance when Amadou Kaba was fouled and went to the line to take two free throws. He missed the first, but made the second to reduce the arrears to 21:1. The second run USA produced in the end of the quarter finishing at 34:5. In the second quarter the game had changed definitely. Even though the USA' deficit reminded the same Mali scored more often. It was African team that celebrated the victory in the second with 23:20. The rest of the game did not bring any intrigue in the game. USA easily led the game to the first win in FIBA U19 World Championship.
In another game of the group Serbia satisfied the fans with a 78:61 victory over China. Mladen Jeremic (195-G-88) led the winners with 25 points.

In Group C Canadian U19 team had a great start in FIBA U19 World Championship. In the opener Canada demolished Nigeria 82:60. An outstanding performance by Devoe Joseph (191-G-90) brought the North Americans 33 points. House and Boris Bakovic (201-F-88) posted 15 points for the winners. Negedu ended up with 16 points and 14 rebounds in the losing effort.

Nigeria was the team that surprised the spectators in the first half of the game. Especially in the first quarter African team went on a 20:17 lead. In the beginning of the second Nigeria earned a six-point advantage at 25:19. As the game went to the end of the half, Canada tied the score at 35 points each. The third period was a pleasure for Canada. They made the decisive break in the game in the third period, establishing what turned out to be an unassailable 61:48 lead. In the last quarter Canada did not stop and led the game to a happy end. The North Americans celebrated the first win in the FIBA U19 World Championship 82:60.
Australia defeated Turkey 77:65 with 15 points from Dogus Balbay (184-G-89). Australia and Canada lead the group with 1-0 record.

In Group D Korea lost the opener of FIBA U19 World Championship in Serbia. In the first game the Asians were defeated by Argentina 85:91. Korea managed to raise a 63:56 advantage, but could not keep the score. Argentina battle back with 24:18 in the last to celebrate the first win. Diego Gerbaudo (180-G-89) was everywhere nailing 16 points, making 8 assists and 8 rebounds. Santos scored 13, while Aguerre and Vega collected 11. Jin Soon Kim top-scored for Korea with 24 points and 12 rebounds.
It was clear from the first minutes that both teams will probably find out the winner in the end. Argentina and Korea got used to each other finishing the first at 18:18. The Asians took a bit of control in the second quarter and won the half 43:40.The South Americans tied the contest at 67:67 by the end of third quarter, but the Koreans again surged into a 73:67 lead. In the last quarter Argentina created a 13-0 run that shocked the Asians. There was no time and strength for Korea to come back.
Spain edged Puerto Rico 91:89 as Victor Claver (206-F/C-88) poured in 31 points. For Puerto Rico, Angel Luis Garcia led the way by drilling three of six from the arc and finishing with 22 points.

   Opening win for Serbia - Jul. 13, 2007
Serbian U19 National Team secured an opening win against China 61:78 on the FIBA World Championship 2007 in Novi Sad, Serbia. China finished first period having 19:17 but in the second quarter Serbia made serious run keeping China on 8 points so they went on the half time with plus 14, 27:41. Hosts succeeded to keep advantage until the end recording first win on WC. Guard Mladen Jeremic (195-G-88) was unstoppable collecting 25 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals while 221 cm tall "giant" Boban Marjanovic (216-C-88) also shined adding 16 points and 6 rebounds. China got 14 points and 5 rebounds from Su Wei (212-C-89).

Serbia will play against Mali today at 18:00h.


China - Serbia 61:78
(19:17,8:24,23:20,11:17)

China: Gu 8, Yang 6, Zhang 4, Li, Ba, Y. Xu 12 (6 rebs), Tian 12 (7 rebs), Delehi 3, Su 14 (5 rebs), Wang 2
DNP: X. Xu, Li.
Serbia: Jeremic 25 (4 rebs, 4 st), Despotovic (4 rebs, 6 as), Katnic 7 (4 rebs), Markovic, Keselj, Radulovic, Stojacic 4 (4 rebs), Cakarevic 2, Macvan 7, Raduljica 12 (7 rebs), Marjanovic 16 (6 rebs), Cupkovic 5

    FIBA U19 WC: Brazil kicks off with a convincing win over Lebanon - Jul. 12, 2007
Brazil started off its WC campaign with a convincing win over Lebanon this afternoon in Novi Sad, Serbia. The €˜canarinho' squad, coached by Jose Neto, defeated the Lebanese by the score of 83 to 67 winning a key game in its way to qualifying to the second round. Paulao's dominance in the paint and a poor third quarter by the Lebanese were key factors for the win, but as we know, the latter might not happen in the next two games.

The Lebanese started the game on top leading by 6 (2-8) with 6.43 minutes on the clock. Two free throws by Betinho put the Brazilians back on track (4-8), but things weren't clicking for Neto's boys, and Lebanon was able to hold on to a five point lead throughout most of the first quarter. Brazil got close once again with two free throws by Paulao (13-15), but let the Lebanese slip away one more time (17-26) with a minute to go before storming back with a three pointer by Betinho and two more free throws by Paulao (22-26).

Mohammed Amdar made two free throws to keep the lead at 4 for the Lebanese (26-30) as the second quarter got under way. Brazil's next two possessions would give them the lead as Bruno Ferreira and Cauê scored back to back three pointers (32-30). The team got off track once again though. A series of turnovers gave the Lebanese an opportunity to regain the lead (33-38), but not to extend it as the center Easterners also made key mistakes, and enabled Brazil to close in the gap to just one bucket (36-38) before half time.

The third quarter decided the match in favor of the Brazilians. After a slow start by both teams, Brazil regained the lead with 6.40 minutes to go on a three pointer by Carlos Ortega (44-42), and didn't look back. Two free throws by point guard Henrique and a lay up by Thomas Melazzo (200-F/G-88) forced Coach Adriano Geraldes to call a timeout for Lebanon with 4.47 minutes on the clock (48-43). Brazil came back on court and went on a 14-3 run that pretty much sealed its victory by the end of the third (61-47).

Paulao dominated the paint and his rebounding efforts continued to boost Brazil's offense as it went on a 10-3 run to start the fourth quarter (71-50). The lead got up to 27 points (81-54) after a sequence of powering plays that featured a dunk by Thomas Melazzo, jump shots, and free throws by Paulao. Brazil slowed down its rhythm as bench players got a chance to play while the Lebanese scored its last points of the afternoon (83-67).

Paulao was Brazil's top player as expected, scoring 17 points and capturing 18 rebounds. Betinho played well in the first half scoring most of his 14 points, but in the second Thomas Melazzo was Paulao's main scoring partner bucketing 15 points. Miguel Martinez finished as the top performer on Lebanon's side with 17 points and 4 rebounds.

Brazil will now face France while the Lebanese must beat Lithuania to keep their hopes alive. The Frenchmen defeated Lithuania earlier today 85-82 as Batum didn't shine as expected. However, the excellent performances by Edwin Jackson and Adrien Moerman, show how deep "Les Bleus" are.

Brazil 83 (22+14+25+22)
Lebanon 67 (26+12+9+20)

   Novi Sad welcomes to U19 World Championship - Jul. 10, 2007
FIBA U19 World Championship will start tomorrow in Novi Sad, Serbia. The 8th FIBA U19 World Championship will be played from 12th to 22nd July 2007 with 16 teams comprised of players born in 1988 or after.
The tournament will be played in two arenas of the Sport Center Vojvodina, the second biggest multi-sports complex in the world. Both arenas have capacities of 8.500 and 2.500 seats.

In the Preliminary Round sixteen teams will be divided into four groups, the teams of which you can see below. Each team will play all the other teams in its own group. Three teams from each group will qualify for the Eighth Finals Round.
In the Eighth Final Round twelve teams qualified from the Preliminary Round will be divided into two groups of six teams each. Each team will play the three new teams in its own group. First four teams from the group will qualify for the Quarterfinals.
In the previous Championship that was held in 2003 in Thessaloniki, Greece, Australian U19 squad celebrated the win. Lithuania finished second, while the hosts of the tournament third. For Australia Andrew Bogut (212-F/C-84, college: Utah) that time had 35 points and 14 rebounds. Steven Marcovic added 30 points and Matthew Knight (203-F/C-85) scored 17. Linas Kleiza (203-F-85, agency: Interperformances, college: Missouri) had 26 for the silver medal winners, Barbauskas nailed 20 and Jomantas had 15.

Group A: Brazil, France, Lebanon, Lithuania
Group B: China, Mali, Serbia, USA
Group C: Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Turkey
Group D: Argentina, Korea, Puerto Rico, Spain

   FIBA U19 WC: The last chance to joke around - Jul. 6, 2007 
This past Thursday night I headed towards Club Athletic Paulistano's gym to watch the Brazilian U19 squad scrimmage against the Brazilian Pan American Games team in what was their last chance to have a friendly atmosphere on court. After a strong first quarter by the youngsters (17-15), the more intense and calculated rhythm of Marcelo Huertas (Joventut Badalona), JP Batista (Rytas), and Marcelinho's (Zalgiris) game took over.

Coach Neto started Carlos Ortega (Unicaja Malaga), the Spanish-Brazilian point guard, Betinho (Winner Limeira), Thomas Melazzo (CA Paulistano), Rafael €œMineiro€ de Souza (Franca Basquete) and Paulo "Paulao" Prestes (208-C-88 / Clinicas Rincon Axarquia) at the 5. Carlos and Betinho showed hard work but didn't have the emotional strength to avoid foolish turnovers throughout the game. Paulao was the go to guy as most of the plays were designed to use his strength and mobility at the post. However, with JP Batista and Caio Torres (Estudiantes de Madrid) banging hard on him, he ran low on stamina by half time.

Nonetheless the three athletes will be key figures in Brazil's attempt to reach the second phase of the FIBA U19 World Championship that starts next week. It's clear that things will be difficult, but they will have to step up big. Although some of the kids have experience playing professionally in their clubs, nothing is compared to the quality and quantity of time on court that guys like Nicolas Batum and Martynas Gecevicius have been getting since they were drafted into their clubs pro squads.

The first game against Lebanon is key to this team's chances of qualifying to the second round. Losing the first game will put the Brazilians against a French team that will be either looking to lock first spot position in the group, or hungry to get over a first round loss to Lithuania. I wouldn't like to see Batum being challenged at this level either way. The damage could be ugly.

So the homework must be done against Lebanon. As Neto stated, €œthe game against Lebanon will be a do or die situation€. There will be no room for mistakes. On the other side of the court he will find Adriano Geraldes, a Brazilian coach that moved to the center East earlier in the year searching for the endless petrol dollars, and that will be looking for a win due to the same reasons mentioned above.

The final is on July 12th. Stay tuned!

   What a shame - Feb. 12, 2007 
Finally, a huge world basketball event was to come to Canada - the World Championships U19. Many basketball fans were looking forward to having a chance to see future NBA and Euroleague stars in one place. Vancouver proved to be the perfect destination. Despite failing to keep their NBA team, they still had an extremely strong reputation of having a great university team, and the city itself had a history of successfully organizing some of the World's big events. And then came the big blow: at the end of January, Basketball Canada announced that they had given up on the event. Their explanation: organization problems, lack of sponsorship, TV cost, etc.
Strangely enough, they had known about it since July 2006, yet it took them seven months to realize that they were not able to organize it; now placing FIBA in a situation of panic, where they have to quickly locate another place which is able organize such an event in just over four months. What we have succeeded in: making Canada's reputation for being a good place to locate basketball-related events quickly slide down the gutter.
Canada can be proud about James Naismith's invention of basketball and about location of Eurobasket - so far the most popular portal for international basketball. But, on the other hand, it's the only industrialized country which does not have ...it's own professional league.
Canada seems to prefer the narrow-minded attitude of "sticking to hockey", and forgets that most of the kids at school actually play different sports.
However, they easily forget that hockey is played only in a very limited number of the countries, making it relatively easy to be ranked very high on the international market.
I am beginning to wonder why Canada does not invest into some other "extreme sports". The good advice - look into rodeo, archery or bowling. That way they can always assure that they get at least the bronze medal, since there aren't many international competitors around.