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*** WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR WOMEN BASKETBALL '2006 ***
September 12-23, 2006 in Sao Paulo, bra Join Us !!! We are looking for someone to help us cover World Championships for Women basketball. Please send us an e-mail.
 | Aust keen to host 2010 basketball worlds | |
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by Eurobasket News - Sep 27, 2006 | |  | Australia is keen to host the 2010 women's basketball world championship as the sport tries to capitalise on the Opals' rise to the top of the international game.
Australia's undefeated run through the best nations in the world has given basketball a timely boost, accelerating some already-promising signs that the sport is finally making up some lost ground.
The NBL has expanded its number of teams, with more in the pipeline, has secured a naming rights sponsor in recent times and there is speculation a free-to-air television deal may soon be struck to support Fox Sports ongoing coverage.
Australian Bob Elphinston, a key player in the bid and staging of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, last month became president of FIBA, the sports governing body, in another fillip for the game Down Under.
The Opals' new status as world champions has brought plenty of media attention and discussions are being held about tabling a bid to FIBA at the end of the year to host the 2010 world titles.
Australia last staged the event in 1994.
"We're talking about whether we can potentially host the world championship again," Elphinston said.
"We know Australians would support it, we've got the stadiums and FIBA knows we can stage a very good event.
"Basketball Australia (BA) is very keen, particularly while we've got such a great women's team."
BA is optimistic of going a step further with preparations for the Beijing Olympics.
The organisation is hopeful a major marquee sponsor can be found that would allow top female players, like Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor, to remain in Australia in the lead-up to 2008.
The Opals' effort in Brazil this month was all the more impressive because players based in the US WNBA only joined the squad days before the tournament began.
A criticism of basketball in Australia in recent times has been the distinct lack of marketing, but Elphinston believes the time has come to change that.
"It's a tough scene in Australia. We have four or five non-Olympic sports that take up so much press, sponsorships and television," he said, referring to the rugby codes, AFL, cricket and motor sport.
"But we need to be able to stand on our own two feet. We're a prominent Olympic sport and we do very well in basketball.
"There's no reason why we can't be more aggressive in the market place. I guess it's in our hands to make that happen."
Jackson, one of Australia's most recognised sportswomen, is confident the gold medal will help raise the Opals' profile.
"When the women's hockey team won the impact was huge and hopefully we have the same impact for team sport in Australia," she said.
"We're kind of known already, but this will definitely make people sit up.
(Courtesy of The Age) |
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| Australia won World Championships | |
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| | | AUSTRALIA finally stands alone at the summit of women's basketball, after the Opals crushed Russia 91-74 in the final of the world championship today (AEST).
The Opals have finished in the top three nations at every Olympic Games and world championships since 1996, but this is the first time any senior Australian side has laid its hands on a gold medal at the highest level.
Penny Taylor (186-F-81) was again the star of the show, finishing with 28 points to earn tournament MVP honours ahead of teammate Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81) and Russia's Maria Stepanova (202-C-79), who was a distant third in voting.
Taylor's effort was even more impressive considering she carried a groin injury over the second half of the tournament, but she was the glue that held the Opals together during their history-making run.
Australia is deserving recipient of the title of world champion, having been the only team to make it through the entire tournament undefeated.
The United States had won gold medals at all major tournaments since the Atlanta Olympics, when Australia made its breakthrough with a bronze. But America's semi-final defeat by Russia, coupled with Australia's improved form in every outing here, allowed a new world order to emerge.
From the opening tip-off the Opals were clearly nervous in front of the biggest crowd for any game not involving the host nation, struggling for rhythm as Russia skipped out to an early 9-2 lead.
But a time-out from coach Jan Stirling settled the Opals, and they immediately embarked on an 11-2 run for a 13-11 lead as the battle unfolded.
Stirling rotated her players throughout the quarter and the Australians found their groove, taking a 19-15 lead into the first break before extending it to 24-15 early in the second term.
The Opals then began to really assert some authority.
Some outstanding defence led to plenty of offensive opportunities, and an 11-0 run gave Australia a 17-point edge with just over four minutes left to the main break.
Russia has earned its reputation as one of the sport's great nations, and managed to fight its way back into the contest.
Stepanova, a nightmare of a match-up courtesy of her athleticism and 202cm frame, led the way as it produced a 15-6 spurt to close the margin to 43-35 at halftime.
But Taylor took over in the second half, producing consecutive steals and lay-ups midway through the third term as the Opals grabbed a championship-winning, 21-point lead.
From there it was a procession as the Australians created a unique place in the nation's sporting history.
In the earlier game, the US routed Brazil 99-59 to claim the bronze medal.
Courtesy of AAP |
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| Czech NT taking 7th place as a success | |
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| | | The World Cup 2006 for women has ended and now before all the regular seasons start all the teams are thinking if their performance on the tournament was a success. For sure Australian girls taking home gold medals it sure was a success, Russians taking for the third time in a row only silver medals it might be a little annoying and for favorized Americans taking only bronze medals it was probably one big dissapointment. But Czech NT eventhough they finished 7th they say that they have fulfillefed their plans to come to quarterfinals. The head coach Jan Bobrovsky said that he is not happy only with one game against Brazil which meant end of czech hopes in the tournament. So now is time to start working again and hope that another tournament would be even more succesful. |
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| Day 10 of World Championship for Women 2006 | |
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| | | Classifications (3-4)
Brazil - USA 59-99 (21-31, 13-18, 11-34, 14-16)
Brazil : Janeth 16+5reb, Iziane 13, Ega 7+5reb, Erika 6+5reb, Kelly 6, Helen 5, Adrianinha 3, Micaela 2, Cintia 1, Karen 0, Silvia 0, Alessandra 0.
USA : Taurasi 28, Thompson 15+7reb, Catchings 11+8reb, Parker 10+6reb, Beard 8, Milton-Jones 8+5reb, Smith 6, Ford 5, Augustus 2, Bird 2+5ast, Swoopes 2, Snow 2.
Coming home without a medal from the Women's World Basketball Championship was unfathomable for the United States. Diana Taurasi did not let it happen.
Taurasi scored 18 of her 28 points in the third quarter to lead Team USA to a 99-59 victory over host Brazil in the bronze medal game on Saturday.
On Thursday night, Team USA (8-1) had its 50-game winning streak in international competition end in stunning fashion with a 75-68 loss to Russia in the semifinals. The Americans had beaten the Russians, 90-80, in group play.
The winning streak in FIBA and Olympic competition dated to a 110-107 loss to Brazil in the semifinals of the 1994 World Championships. The run included championship victories over Russia in the 1998 and 2002 Worlds.
Despite the disappointment of not playing for the gold, the Americans showed plenty of pride on Saturday.
"We knew we had to bounce back," Team USA coach Anne Donovan said. "We knew that not just Brazil would be ready, but we knew the fans would be ready. So our mental preparation and our emotional preparation had to be high.
"I give a lot of credit to the girls. We knew we had to come out and play our best game in order to walk away with the bronze."
After Team USA methodically built a 49-34 halftime lead, Taurasi caught fire with four 3-pointers in the third quarter. The Americans would outscore Brazil, 34-11, in the quarter and Donovan sat her starters throughout the fourth.
Taurasi played just 16 minutes and made 11-of-15 shots, including 6-of-7 from 3-point range.
"Individually, you could talk about it being a very good night," Taurasi said. "But as a team we learned a lot about ourselves. We came off a tough loss to Russia, who played a great game, hats off to them they deserved it.
"This morning we knew it was going to be a very difficult game against a wonderful Brazilian team. Our focus was the highest it's been all tournament, which is a testament to the coaches for getting us prepared."
Tina Thompson scored 15 points and Tamika Catchings added 11 and nine rebounds for Team USA, which shot 56 percent (39-of-70) from the field, including 11-of-20 from 3-point range.
Janeth Arcain of the Houston Comets led Brazil with 16 points. Brazil shot just 37 percent (22-of-59) from the field, including 4-of-20 from the arc.
Alessandra Olivera, who averaged 13.8 points and 8.6 rebounds in Brazil's first eight games, wore a sling on her left arm and watched from the bench.
Team USA was on fire from the start, hitting 5-of-6 from 3-point range to open a 25-16 lead with 3:16 left in the first quarter. Katie Smith ended the quarter with another 3-pointer to increase the advantage to 31-21. Taurasi finished with 10 points in the period.
A steal and a pair of free throws by Catchings with 3:13 left in the second quarter ignited a 7-2 run which gave Team USA a 49-34 halftime lead.
The Americans then opened the third quarter with a 13-5 spurt as Taurasi hit two shots from the arc. The All-Star guard of the Phoenix Mercury outscored Brazil by herself, 11-2, in just under a two-minute span later in the quarter to help the U.S. open an 83-45 lead.
"We played the way we wanted to play and 'D' (Taurasi) was just ridiculous in the second half and opened it up for us," Team USA guard Sue Bird said.
(Courtesy of WNBA)
Final
Australia - Russia 91-74 (19-15, 24-20, 26-20, 22-19)
Australia: Taylor 28+9reb, Jackson 16+11reb, Harrower 15+5ast, Snell 12, Whittle 8, Bevilaqua 4, Summerton 4, Randall 2, Grima 2, Phillips 0, Screen 0, McLnerny 0.
Russia: Stepanova 17+13reb, Shchegoleva 15, Arteshina 10, Korstin 10, Rakhmatulina 8, Vovopynova 7+5reb, Karpova 7, Demagina 0, Abrosimova 0, Karpunina 0, Osipova 0, Lisina 0.
Australia finally has the gold. The United States managed to salvage the bronze at the Women's World Basketball Championships.
After winning a medal at every Olympic Games and World Championships since 1996, Australia seized the gold for the first time with a 91-74 victory over Russia on Saturday.
Penny Taylor (186-F-81) scored 28 points to earn MVP honors ahead of teammate Lauren Jackson (196-F/C-81), who is considered by many to be the best player in the world. Jackson finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Australia (9-0) capped an unbeaten tournament run, although it never had to play the United States, which was upset by Russia in the semifinals.
Diana Taurasi scored 18 of her 28 points in the third quarter to lead Team USA to a 99-59 victory over host Brazil in the bronze medal game on Saturday.
"We knew we had to bounce back," Team USA coach said. "We knew that not just Brazil would be ready, but we knew the fans would be ready. So our mental preparation and our emotional preparation had to be high."
On Thursday night, Team USA (8-1) had its 50-game winning streak in international competition end in stunning fashion with a 75-68 loss to Russia in the semifinals.
The winning streak in FIBA and Olympic competition dated to a 110-107 loss to Brazil in the semifinals of the 1994 World Championships. The run included championship victories over Russia in the 1998 and 2002 Worlds.
Russia (5-4) looked like it would follow up the upset of Team USA with a win over Australia after racing to a 9-2 lead. But Australian coach Jan Stirling called a timeout, and his team responded with an 11-2 run.
Australia held a 19-15 lead after one quarter and opened the second period with an 11-0 run. Maria Stepanova scored eight points as Russia closed the half with a 15-6 spurt to pull within 43-35.
Taylor took over in the second half, producing consecutive steals and layups as Australia opened the lead to 64-43. Russia got no closer than 14 points thereafter.
Stepanova, who finished third in the MVP voting, collected 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Despite the disappointment of not playing for the gold, the Americans showed plenty of pride Saturday.
(Courtesy of WNBA) |
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| Day 9 of World Championship for Women 2006 | |
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| | | Classifications (5-6)
France - Lithuania 79-73 (23-16, 18-18, 18-12, 20-27)
France: Gomis 22, Gruda 12+7reb, Le Drean 12, Gillespie 10, Godin 6, Dumerc 6, Lesdema 5, Bade 4, Ndongue 2, Beiges 0, Hermouet 0, Dijon 0.
Lithuania : Valuzyte 19+9reb+8ast, Bimbaite 19, Streimikyte 9+7reb, Bradeikyte 6, Valentiene 6, Razmaite 6, Petronyte 6, Ciudariene 2+5reb, Rinkeviciute 0, Briedyte 0, Kuktiene 0, Sulciute 0.
France held off a determined fight-back from Lithuania to clinch fifth place at the FIBA World Championship for Women with a 79-73 win. The French looked to be cruising at 77-60 with 2:47 to go, but Sandra Valuzyte (176-G-82)'s lay-up then sparked a 13-0 run for Lithuania that brought them back into contention.
They got within seven, at 77-70, with 50 seconds left.
Valuzyte then missed a three-pointer with 16 seconds on the clock, but Ausra Bimbaite (179-G-82)'s trey nine seconds from time moved them to within four points, 77-73.
However, Audrey Sauret-Gillespie sank two late free throws to secure the win for France.
Classifications (7-8)
Czech Republic - Spain 57-49 (15-15, 6-10, 16-9, 20-15)
Czech Republic: Machova 17+8reb, Vesela 11+7reb, Vecerova 6+8reb, Pavlickova 6+5reb, Klimesova 6+5reb, Viteckova 5, Kulichova 4+7reb, Mokrosova 2, Johnova 0, Hartigova 0, Uhrova 0, Krizova 0.
Spain: Valdemoro 20, Fernandez 9, Martinez 5, Segui 4, Palau 2, Sanchez 2, Dominguez 2, Montesdeoca 2, Pascua 2+5reb, Pina 1, Aguilar 0, Montanana 0.
Hana Machova (182-F-79) collected 17 points and eight rebounds as the Czech Republic secured seventh place at the FIBA World Championship for Women with a 57-49 win over Spain. The Czechs had trailed 25-21 at half-time but took the lead in the third quarter before pulling clear in the final stanza.
After Marta Fernandez sank a jump shot with 9:04 left to bring Spain within a point at 37:36, the Czech Republic went on a 9-0 run - capped by Machova's lay-up with 6:42 on the clock ?to set up the victory.
Spain twice closed the gap to five points but got no closer down the stretch despite the Czechs committing three turnovers in the final five minutes. |
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| Day 8 of World Championship for Women 2006 | |
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A Brazilian moment of glory was stolen away by Belinda Snell and Australia as the determined Opals reached the final of the FIBA World Championship for Women. France did the double over the Czech Republic with an overtime triumph in Ibirapuera. Jurgita Streimikyte (190-F-72)'s brilliant performance helped Lithuania win the game with Spain 80-71. The U.S. women's dream of claiming a third straight World Championship title fell short Thursday night when Russia stunned the Americans 75-68 in semifinal action. China seemed to lose the enough energy for the Classification games and lost Cuba which they beat in the Preliminary round. Argentina prevailed Canada 74-57 with ease.
Classifications (9-12)
Argentina - Canada 74-57 (19-15, 12-15, 22-14, 21-13)
Argentina: Vega 21+7reb+8st, Paoletta 15, Soberon 12, Sanchez 9, Pavon 9, Chesta 5, Landra 2, Rios 1, Nicolini 0+10ast, Lineira 0, Gatti 0, Fernandez 0.
Canada: Kleindienst 15, Sutton-Brown 11+9reb, Smith 11+11reb, Johnson 7+5reb, Brown 6+6reb, Aubry 4, Riebesehl 3, Townsend 0, Adrian 0, Grenier 0, Crooks 0, Watson 0.
Cuba - China 71-68 (25-21, 10-13, 13-19, 23-15)
Cuba: Plutin 21+7reb, Amargo 12+5reb, Avila 10, Boulet 9+6reb, Gelis 8, Martinez 6, Oquendo 5, Romero 0, Suero 0, Soria 0, Calvo 0, Rodriguez 0.
China: Xiaoli Chen 15+6reb, Feifei Sui 14, Nan Chen 12+5reb, Lan Bian 6, Xiaoyun Song 5+5reb, Lei Ren 5, Dan Liu 5, Lijie Miao 4, Guang Jia 2, Wei Zhang 0, Liwei Song 0, Xiaoni Zhang 0.
Classifications (5-8)
Czech Republic - France 78-79 (20-17, 15-11, 15-23, 19-18, 9-10)
Czech Republic: Machova 18, Viteckova 16+6reb, Kulichova 15+14reb, Vesela 14+9reb, Klimesova 7, Pavlickova 5, Uhrova 3, Vecerova 0, Johnova 0, Hartigova 0, Mokrosova 0, Krizova 0.
France: Gruda 15, Gillespie 13, Le Drean 12+5reb, Dumerc 10+5ast, Gomis 9, Lesdema 8, Godin 8+5reb, Bade 2, Dijon 2, Beikes 0, Hermouet 0, Ndongue 0.
Spain - Lithuania 71-80 (11-12, 19-18, 14-19, 27-31)
Spain: Valdemoro 28+7reb, Montanana 13+6reb, Fernandez 12, Palau 6, Montesdeoca 4, Pascua 3+5reb, Martinez 3, Segui 2+6reb, Pina 0, Sanchez 0, Dominguez 0, Aguilar 0.
Lithuania: Jurgita Streimikyte (190-F-72) 23+13reb, Valuzyte 17+6reb, Brazdeikyte 16+9reb, Ciudariene 10+5reb, Razmaite 6+6reb, Bimbaite 5+5reb, Valentiene 3, Rinkeviciute 0, Briedyte 0, Kuktiene 0, Sulciute 0, Petronyte 0.
Semi-Finals
Brazil - Australia 76-88 (21-21, 19-18, 24-18, 12-31)
Brazil: Iziane 16, Alessandra 13+8reb, Erika 10+5reb, Ega 9+5ast, Micaela 9, Adrianinha 9, Janeth 7, Helen 3, Karen 0, Silvia 0, Cintia 0, Kelly 0.
Australia: Taylor 26, Snell 22+5reb, Jackson 19+7reb, Harrower 9, Whittle 6, Summerton 4, Screen 2, Phillips 0, Bevilaqua 0, Randall 0, Grima 0, McLnerny 0.
Russia - USA 75-68 (25-13, 12-19, 21-6, 17-30)
Russia: Rakhmatulina 18, Korstin 15+5reb, Stepanova 13+11reb, Arteshina 12, Shchegoleva 10+11reb, Vovopynova 7+7reb, Demagina 0, Abrosimova 0, Karpunina 0, Karpova 0, Osipova 0, Lisina 0.
USA: Taurasi 21, Thompson 15+6reb, Parker 13+8reb, Bird 8+7ast, Swoopes 3, Milton-Jones 3, Smith 3, Catchings 2, Beard 0, Augustus 0, Ford 0, Snow 0.
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| Day 7 of World Championship for Women 2006 | |
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| | | Tatiana Shchegoleva (195-F-82) scored five crucial points near the end to propel Russia to a thrilling triumph over Spain and earn her team a place in the semi-finals of the FIBA World Championship for Women. Iziane Marques poured in 11 of her game-high 23 points in the second quarter as Brazil took control early and cruised to a 75-51 triumph over the Czech Republic. Australia charged into the final four of the FIBA World Championship for Women after a blistering start against France. Candace Parker (191-F-86) scored 18 points and Tina Thompson (188-F-75, college: USC) added 15 as the United States separated themselves from Lithuania in the second period, paving the way for a 90-56 rout. Argentina and Canada beat their own competitors and will contest for the 9th place tomorrow. China and Cuba will meet with each other again for the 11th place.
Classifications (9-12)
Argentina - Cuba 76-73 (21-20, 19-16, 11-23, 25-14)
Argentina: Gisella Vega 23+16reb, Rios 23, Sanchez 15, Lineira 7, Soberon 3, Pavon 3, Paoletta 2, Nicolini 0, Chesta 0, Gatti 0, Fernandez 0, Landra 0.
Cuba: Boulet 24+7reb, Pluton 16+8reb, Amargo 11, Avila 10+6reb, Romero 5, Gelis 5+8reb, Soria 2, Suero 0, Martinez 0, Calvo 0, Oquendo 0, Rodriguez 0.
Canada - China 65-61 (15-17, 17-7, 14-21, 19-16)
Canada: Smith 18+8reb, Kleindienst 15+13reb+8ast, Sutton-Brown 13+8reb, Brown 8, Aubry 3, Grenier 3, Townsend 2, Johnson 2, Adrian 1, Crooks 0, Watson 0, Riebesehl 0.
China: Nan Chen 22+12reb, Lijie Miao 21, Xiaoli Chen 8, Lan Bian 5, Xiaoyun Song 3+5reb, Feifei Sui 2, Guang Jia 0, Wei Zhang 0, Lei Ren 0, Liwei Song 0, Dan Liu 0+5reb, Xiaoni Zhang 0.
Quarter-Finals
Spain - Russia 56-60 (21-11, 6-20, 19-10, 10-19)
Spain: Valdemoro 21+5reb, Aguilar 14+5ast, Palau 8+5st, Montanana 7+5reb, Montesdeoca 4, Martinez 2, Pina 0, Fernandez 0, Sanchez 0, Dominguez 0, Segui 0, Pascua 0.
Russia: Stepanova 14+10reb, Korstin 14+9reb, Vovopynova 14+7reb, Shchegoleva 12+8reb, Rakhmatulina 6, Arteshina 0, Demagina 0, Abrosimova 0, Karpunina 0, Karpova 0, Osipova 0, Lisina 0.
Brazil - Czech Republic 75-51 (19-19, 27-9, 16-12, 13-11)
Brazil: Iziane 23, Janeth 15+10reb, Alessandra 11+6reb, Erika 8, Arianinha 6, Helen 5, Ega 4+8reb, Cintia 2, Kelly 1, Karen 0, Micaela 0, Silvia 0.
Czech Republic: Machova 10, Klimesova 9+6reb, Viteckova 7+6reb, Mokrosova 6, Vesela 5, Pavlickova 4, Kulichova 4+6reb, Vecerova 3, Uhrova 3, Johnova 0, Hartigova 0, Krizova 0.
Australia - France 79-66 (23-13, 19-15, 19-16, 18-22)
Australia: Jackson 19+11reb, Taylor 18, Screen 7, Whittle 7+6reb, Grima 6+6reb, Harrower 6, Summerton 6, Phillips 5, Randall 3, Bevilaqua 2, Snell 0, McLnerny 0.
France: Gruda 15, Gomis 11, Gillespie 10, Le Drean 8+9reb, Lesdema 4, Bade 4, Dijon 4+5reb, Ndogue 4, Godin 4+6reb, Hermouet 2, Beikes 0, Dumerc 0.
Lithuania - USA 56-90 (26-27, 6-21, 5-21, 19-21)
Lithuania: Bimbaite 12, Valuzyte 12+6reb, Ciudariene 11, Valentiene 6, Petronyte 5, Bradeikyte 3, Rinkeviciute 3, Razmaite 2, Kuktiene 2, Streimikyte 0+5reb, Briedyte 0, Sulciute 0.
USA: Parker 18+6reb, Thompson 15, Catchings 12+8reb, Smith 10, Beard 8, Milton-Jones 7+6reb, Taurasi 7, Augustus 3, Bird 3+5ast, Snow 3, Swoopes 2+6reb, Ford 2+6reb. |
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| Day 6 of World Championship for Women 2006 | |
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