By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
LAUSANNE (Switzerland) – After conquering last year’s gold medal on a perfect 7-0 run in the FIBA U18 EuroBasket, the youth generation of German basketball keeps on shining.
Getting to the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup by taking down Serbia, the team coached by Alan Ibrahimagic doubled it against Australia, winning 80-67 and getting to the Semi-Finals of the competition, dragged by its usual suspects.
Like they have been doing for the whole tournament, the trio composed of Christian Anderson (18 points and 8 rebounds), Jack Kayil (4 points and 12 assists), and Hannes Steinbach (16 points and 17 rebounds) delivered once again. Roman Siulepa and Luke Fennell combined for 37 points in the loss.
Earlier in the day, Slovenia took down Israel, limiting them to only 55 points. Zak Smrekar put up 22 of the Balkan team’s 79 final points, helped by Mark Padjen (7 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists) and Urban Kroflic (13 points and 6 rebounds); on the losing side, Oren Sahar finished with 20 points.
Therefore, last year’s FIBA U18 EuroBasket champions will now go on to face Slovenia in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup Semi-Finals, aiming for a spot in the most anticipated game of the tournament.
Team USA took down Canada in an instant classic
Later on the day, Team USA and Canada put on a show in Lausanne, delivering probably the best action of the whole tournament thus far.
Ultimately, the USA prevailed 108-102 to beat their neighbours, with AJ Dybantsa leading his country with 22 points. Mikel Brown Jr. had 20 points and 8 assists, with four other American players finishing in double-digits.
Jordan Charles (19 points and 5 assists), Tristan Beckford (16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists), and Adriel Nyorha (15 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists) did their best, but it wasn’t enough.
To conclude Friday’s action in Lausanne, New Zealand ruined the home party for Switzerland, beating the hosts 84-70 to book a spot in the Semi-Finals against Team USA.
Hayden Jones was the absolute protagonist for the Tall Blacks, putting up an absolute show performance with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Oscar Goodman (13 points and 12 rebounds) and Julius Halaifonua (17 points and 7 rebounds) followed him.
On the Swiss national team, the country’s young hero Dayan Messah had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Andrin Njock had a 15-point losing effort.
Quarter-Finals
Slovenia – Israel 79-55
Germany – Australia 80-67
Canada – USA 102-108
New Zealand – Switzerland 84-70
Semi-Finals
Slovenia – Germany (04/07 TBD)
USA – New Zealand (04/07 TBD)
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA