Australia U21 - USA U21 71:96 (21:32, 19:23, 16:20, 17:21)

Australia and USA started the Championship and it was a pleasure to see that both teams finished it. A tremendous tournament closed the doors for the FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. USA defended their title beating Australia in the Final 96:71. The North Americans claimed the Gold medals, while Silver went to Australia. Crystal Langhorne (188-C/F-86) was unstoppable for the winners with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Three players from the team followed her wit 14- Bonner, Jolene Anderson (173-G-86) and Wiggins. Jenna O'Hea (185-G/F-87) top-scored for the Sapphires with 23 points and 8 rebounds.

The Sapphires lost to the Americans by two points on opening day in this tournament. Australia however started poor and was 21:32 behind after the opening quarter. The second stanza was more balanced and half-time came on a 40:55 lead for USA.
Renae Camino (177-G-86) brought Australia closer, 48:60 after 3 minutes in the third quarter, but the americans did not panic and were still leading 75:56 at the end of the third period. Even though Australia resisted in the last period USA led the game to the happy end.

As a result USA defended their title that they achieved in 2003 in Croatia. Australia made a huge step to the second place as Brazil was second last time, while Croatia finished third.

Australia U21: Jenna O'Hea 23+8 rebs, Renae Camino 12, Mikaela Dombkins (181-G/F-86) 10, Kathleen MacLeod 8
USA U21: Crystal Langhorne 23+14 rebs, Bonner 14, Jolene Anderson 14, Wiggins 14

Game for the 3rd place
France U21-Russia U21 67:61 (25:10, 14:21, 22:8, 6:22)

Russian squad could not take the medals of FIBA U21 World Championship for Women that was held in Vidnoje, Moscow Region. France grabbed bronze with a 67:61 triumph over Russia in the game for the third place. Four different quarters from both teams brought the victory for the visitors. Isabelle Yacoubou (195-C-86) led the way with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Sylvie Gruszczynski (172-G-86) scored 11, while Clarisse Costaz (170-G-86) and Julie Barennes (183-F-86) finished with 10. Ekaterina Lisina (198-C-87) top-scored with 15 points in defeat.

Russia failed in the opening tip of the game and could hardly stay in the game later. The French team stormed a 25:6 lead that led to 25:10 after first 10 minutes. In the second quarter Russia answered with 21:14 win that left them behind at 31:39.
A brilliant third quarter, during which France reeled off 14 consecutive points, let them to lead 59:37. The question about the winner was clear, however Russia did not give up. Behind by 22 to start the final quarter, Russia tried once again to pull off an improbable fightback and they nearly succeeded. With less than 5 minutes to go France led 61:53. The latter stayed calm and triumphed for the third pace winning 67:61.

France U21: Isabelle Yacoubou 14+13 rebs, Sylvie Gruszczynski 11, Clarisse Costaz 10, Julie Barennes 10
Russia U21: Ekaterina Lisina 15, Ekaterina Savelyeva (184-F-86) 13

Canada U21-Belgium U21 67:72 (19:15, 8:16, 20:14, 20:27))
Belgium U21 finished on the fifth spot in FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. In the last game of the tournament Belgium beat Canada 72:67. An 8-0 run late in the fourth quarter gave the Europeans the higher spot in the Championship. Sofie Hendrickx (186-F/C-86) top-scored for the first time in the team scoring 19 points. Sara Leemans (178-G/F-88) produced 15 points and made 12 rebounds, while Virginie Michiels (179-F-87) added 11. Kalisha Keane (-89) was the best in the losing effort with 22 points.

Both teams faced each other in the end of the Preliminary Round. Canada beat Belgium that time in group A to finish third. A deficit reached in the first half was saved till the last minutes of the game. Canada celebrated 69:58 and improved to 3-2. Belgium had 2-3 and was the last team to qualify.
It was the Europeans' time to revenge as they desired the win more than the opponents. Canada however led the game in the beginning. The North Americans went on a 19:15 lead after the opening quarter, but were quickly caught by Belgium in the second. Canada improved in the third with 20:14 win and looked forward to the end of the game.
In the end of the game Sara Leemans and then Virginie Michiels buried a jumper for a 66:62 Belgian lead. Canada then twice turned the ball over, and the Europeans eventually scored again, Marjorie Carpreaux sinking a pair of free throws for a 68:62 lead. Belgium led the game to the happy end and finished fifth in the tournament.

Canada U21: Kalisha Keane 22, Alisha Tatham (180-G/F-86) 11, Natalie Doma (191-C) 11+8 rebs
Belgium U21: Sofie Hendrickx 19, Sara Leemans 15+12 rebs, Virginie Michiels 11

Game for the 7th place

Brazil U21-Hungary U21 67:75 (17:24, 9:15, 19:12, 22:24))
Hungary U21 clinched the 7th spot in FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. In the game for that place Europeans overcame Brazil 75:67. Holding the game after the first half, Hungary lost the third, but that was not an issue to lose the game. Barbara Semsei (178-G-86) led the winners with 28 points. Dora Horti (195-C-87) posted 16 points and made 9 rebounds, while Katalin Honti (178-G-87) added 13. Franciele Nacimiento (-87) struggled for the South Americans with 21 points and 18 rebounds.

Hungary started offensively as they reached 7 points gap in the opening quarter. Europeans went on a 24:17 lead after the first 10 minutes of the game. In the second quarter Brazil could not stay closer and Hungary even increased the lead. With 15:9 in the second Europeans had 39:26 at the half time.
Meanwhile Brazil battled back in the third closing the gap to 49:45 in the end of it. In the fourth quarter South Americans trailed by 65:67 with more than a minute in the game. The girl of the game, Barbara Semsei buried a three to return 5 points for Hungarians. The game was over at 75:67 for Europeans that clinched the 7th spot in the tournament. Brazil, being the only representative from the continent finished on the 8th place.

Brazil U21: Franciele Nacimiento 21+18 rebs, Jacqueline Silvestre (178-F-86) 14, Morais De Andrade 12+11 rebs
Hungary U21: Barbara Semsei 28, Dora Horti 16+9 rebs, Katalin Honti 13

Game for the 9th placee

Japan U21-Spain U21 70:80 (20:17, 10:22, 17:21, 23:20)
Japan U21 finished the FIBA U21 World Championship for Women on the 10th spot. In the game for the 9th place Japan was defeated by Spain 70:80. Asami Yoshida (165-G-87) exploded for 31 points but it wasn't enough for Japan. Her team mate Saori Fujiyoshi (-87) collected 12 in defeat. Blanca Marcos (177-G/F-87) led the winners with 22 points, while Anna Cruz (175-G-86) ended up with 17.

Asians had a great start and finished the first with 20:17. The Japanese stormed out to a 10-2 advantage and maintained a lead midway through the second quarter at 27:24 after a Kozue Tanaka three-ball. Only after that Spain woke up and went on a lead. They created a 15-0 run and left the European team with a 39:27 advantage. Blanca Marcos three-ball then sparked another 10-0 surge for the Spanish and propelled them to victory. Japan had to admit the loss and finished 10th in U21 World Championship.

As a total ut seems to be a good result for the Asian team. Japan in one step over another representative from Asia China. Moreover Japan showed some really good games with the European teams.

Japan U21: Asami Yoshida 31, Saori Fujiyoshi 12
Spain U21: Blanca Marcos 22, Anna Cruz 17, German Velasco 14

Game for the 11th place

China U21-Mali U21 73:46 (18:9, 14:2, 11:14, 20:21)
China defeated Mali 73:46 and finished 11th in FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. With a 14:2 in the second quarter China proved that Asian basketball is a bit stronger now. Meanwhile Mali won 2 quarters out of 4, however could not escape a big loss. Lu Lu (184-G-86) led the winners with 12 points, while Fatoumata Bagayoko scored 18 for Mali.

China and Mali faced each other in the last game of the preliminary Round. China rolled that time over Mali 90:59. A 27:9 lead in the opening quarter made no intrigue later in the game. Lu Lu top-scored for the winners with 16 points. Meiling Zheng and Zheng Bowen (-90) produced 12 points each. China finished Group A with 1-4, while Mali stayed winless.

In the last game for both teams and not for the last place for the winner China started with 18:9 lead after the first 10 minutes. The second quarter was a nightmare for the Africans as they were defeated 2:14. By half-time, Mali's predicament had grown worse with China's advantage 42:11. China finished 21 of 47 inside the arc, and six of 15 beyond it. The Asians escaped the last spot, while Mali ended up on 12th.

China U21: Lu Lu 12
Mali U21: Fatoumata Bagayoko 18

Australia U21-Canada U21 98:57 (19:15, 20:17, 37:12, 22:13)

Canada stayed tough in the first half against Australia in FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. In the game against Australia's Sapphires Canada had to admit the level later. The 18-year old center Cayla Francis (192-C-89) carried the Australia team all the way in the opening quarter then the Sapphires easily defeated Canada in the first quarterfinal game of the 2007 U21 World Championships 98:57. Australia will play a semifinal game tomorrow against the winner of the France - Brazil match-up. Canada will wait for the opponent and will struggle for the other places. Chantella Perera (175-G-86) led the winners with 16 points. Kadie Riverin (175-G-86) posted 12 for canada, while Natalie Doma (191-C) and Ayim produced 8.

Canada appeared helpless at times against the strong offensive attack. Even though the North Americans stayed at 39:32 at the half, they were smashed later. The game began to slip away from the Canadians in the third quarter when baskets from Abby Bishop (189-C-88), Renae Camino (177-G-86) and Kathleen MacLeod stretched their advantage to 47:34. Australia beat Canada in the third with an appropriate score 37:12.
The game was almost already over but the Sapphires opened the last quarter with a 11-0 run to seal the victory. The coaches were able to give some playing time to all the bench players so the starters were able to enjoy a little break before a deadly semifinal game tomorrow.

Australia U21: Chantella Perera 16, Cayla Francis 15+10 rebs, Renae Camino 13
Canada U21: Kadie Riverin 12, Natalie Doma 8+7 rebs, Ayim 8

France U21-Brazil U21 85:68
France U21 advanced to the semifinal of FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. In the Quarterfinal game French squad defeated Brazil 85:68 to stay undefeated in the tournament. Sandrine Gruda (192-F/C-87) led the winners with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Sylvie Gruszczynski (172-G-86) posted 16, while Yacoubou produced 11. Morais De Andrade top-scored for the Latin-Americans with 20 points.
France dominated in every aspect in the court. they increased their number of the wins in the tournament to 6. Tomorrow France will meet Australia in the semifinal of the Championship.

France U21: Sandrine Gruda 22+11 rebs, Sylvie Gruszczynski 16, Yacoubou 11
Brazil U21: Morais De Andrade 20, Jacqueline Silvestre (178-F-86) 14

USA U21-Belgium U21 104:53 (23:19, 27:9, 25:12, 29:14)
Belgium could not advance to the semifinal of FIBA U21 World Championship for Women. The reason for it was a loss by the favorites of the tournament- the United States. The latter overwhelmed Belgium 104:53 and clinched the place in the semifinal. Courtney Paris (193-C-87) led the winners with 18 points. Abigail Waner (181-G-86) added 15, while Ashley Houts (168-G) chipped in 14. As usual Sara Leemans (178-G/F-88) struggled for Belgium with 16 points. USA will take on hosts Russia today.

It was a good start for Belgium in the first minutes of the game. Trailing only by 18:20 USA increased to 19:23 in the end of the first. Belgium worked hard, but the US continued to pull away by scoring six straight points for a 38:24 lead. In the end of the second quarter USA pushed the tempo and won the quarter 27:9.

The second half started with the same rythm as the first where only one team could be seen in the court. USA controlled the whole game and won the next two quarters. They demolished Belgium 25:12 in the third and proved with 29:14 in the last.

USA U21: Courtney Paris 18, Abigail Waner 15, Ashley Houts 14
Belgium U21: Sara Leemans 16, Fanny Vandesteene (176-F-87) 11