2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup: Round of Sixteen Recap
It was do or die at the Under-17 Women's World Cup - a loss and it would all be over for any team, and there were plenty of match-ups that were hard to predict. Even with the stakes at their highest so far, the standard continued into the knockout stage:
Hungary showed great teamwork, great bench production - 52 points from their rotation players - and great work in the field - where 53% of their points came from, as they dominated proceedings over Angola and booked their quarter final place with a 40-point victory.
An amazing performance from Argentina’s Brenda Fontana - 25 points and 16 rebounds off the bench - would not be enough to lift the South American side over a Latvian side who were rampant from close range. Latvia’s star Laura Meldere had 21 points and 14 rebounds as they reached the quarter finals for the first time in their history, beating Argentina by 72 points to 58.
Latvia vs Argentina. Image: FIBA.com
Spain played to their strengths, focusing on scoring in the low post, while struggling Canada couldn’t keep up. Nerea Hermosa Monreal had 19 points and 16 rebounds off the bench for Spain as they breezed past Canada by twenty-two points and into the quarter finals.
The latest chapter in the eternal rivalry between New Zealand and Australia saw the Australians in the driver’s seat throughout, putting up ten threes and seeing 20 points from Shyla Jade Heal as they dispatched their neighbours 77-37.
Two of Asia’s top teams met in the round of sixteen, and while China had the better short-range offence but, with Ming Zheng making a game-high 28 points, they were out-scored and had their time in possession limited by Japan. Sakura Noguchi had an amazing game with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 4 steals as they advance in the competition, beating China by nine points.
Mali led France early on, with Sika Kone outstanding on her way to finish with 26 points, but France stepped up their offence and dropped eleven threes, four of which coming from their top scorer Zoe Wadoux, and finished off the game ahead by 78 points to 57.
Colombia vs USA. Image: FIBA.com
USA began their game against Colombia with a 14-0 run, and continued to dominate the game to the end. USA’s Aliyah Boston and Haley Jones both finished one rebound shy of a double-double each, and the team outscored Colombia 32-4 in the final quarter, completing the 98-42 win.
After a close, unpredictable first quarter, with nine lead changes, Italy’s defence shut out Belarus and contested every play. Leading by as many as 19 and with five players scoring in double figures - led by Martina Spinelli who had 15 along with 9 rebounds - Italy eliminated the hosts by a final score of 65-50.
The result of the outcomes here is an quarter-final field:
France vs Latvia
Italy vs Australia
Japan vs Hungary
USA vs Spain
While the losing teams will enter the consolation bracket:
Mali vs Argentina
Belarus vs New Zealand
China vs Angola
Colombia vs Canada
These games will take place on July 27th, when play in the Under-17 World Cup resumes. Until then, visit the official website of the 2018 Under-17 Women's World Cup for news, updates and full statistics on all games.
