Canada Commanding in Under-19 World Cup - Knockout Stage Review

After a perfect sweep of their group, Canada advanced to the knockout phase of the 2021 FIBA Under-19 World Cup, where the test would become tougher as all sixteen teams steeled themselves for the pressure-cooker environment they now found themselves in in Latvia.

The Canadian team started this next stage in style with thirteen points early on against Puerto Rico, continuing that trend to build a forty-point lead with 1:30 to go in the third quarter. At the end five Canadian players reached double digits and Ryan Nembhard registering a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds as they comfortably cleared the Puerto Ricans 86 to 56.

This saw them advance to the quarter finals and Spain, where threes from Ruben Dominguez and Millan Jimenez would be the only plays that separated the teams in the first half, seeing Spain finish leading by two points. Behind Zach Edey's low-post play, Canada went in front for much of the third quarter, only for Jimenez to put the Spanish back in front in the last minute of the period.

They remained in front until Caleb Houstan began an 8-1 Canadian streak which put them ahead by seven points in the final stretch. In the face of tough defence Spain were able to find some scoring chances to make it a single-possession game, but Houstan and Ryan Nembhard kept the Canadians securely in the lead to the final buzzer.

After possibly their most impressive display in Latvia, Houstan finished as top scorer with 25 points while Edey had 24 along with 15 total rebounds in Canada's 81-77 defeat of Spain. A result which saw them march on to the semi finals and eternal rivals the USA.

Unsurprisingly the Americans were the ones who held the early lead but were matched by Canada in all the same spots on the other end of the court, though they were still lagging behind. After a 13-2 run in the third, Canada had gone from starting the second half behind by double digits to within one of the Americans.

USA responded by building a bigger and bigger lead which reached twenty points midway through the final period. With their tournament on the line, Canada put up four three-pointers and Edey finding some additional points in the paint, unfortunately there was not enough time to overturn the deficit. Houstan finished with a game-high 23 points Houstan and Edey totalled 16 points and rebounds but the win was America's, 92-86.

The trophy was now no longer a possibility for Canada but they could still capture the bronze medal in the consolation game against Serbia, who lost to France in the other semi final. Canada started confidently against the Serbians with a ten-point lead which became the highest in the game, fifteen points, midway through the second quarter. No sooner had they taken that lead did they flatline, allowing Serbia twenty points without reply.

Canada cut down the deficit in the paint throughout the third quarter and reclaimed the lead shortly after the start of Q4. Ultimately Serbia saw too many shots fall short while the Canadians stayed the course and closed out the win. Nembhard and Edey both finished with double-doubles and Benedict Mathurin closed out his tournament with 31 points for Canada, who finish in third place following the final win over Serbia, 101-92.

Following that the USA were stunned by the French in the final, trailing for two quarters before stamping their authority in the last period. France cut a seven-point gap down to two with thirty seconds to go but while the Americans failed to get another shot off, they monopolized possession and prevailed in a nervy end to the final, making it the eighth Under-19 world title for the USA.

An impressive display from Canada has put them on the podium for the second time in their history, made possible by players who have shown they have bright futures ahead for them in the sport. For more on this edition of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, follow this link to the official tournament website.