Canada and Australia favourites in the quarter finals of FIBA U-19 World Championship for Women Pt-1
Canada vs Spain
The first quarterfinal of the FIBA U-19 World Championship for Women will feature a transatlantic battle between Canada and Spain. Canada has been the strongest team of the tournament so far, and has barged its way into the quarterfinals
by winning all 6 of its preliminary round matches, including their match against the three time defending champions, USA.
The Canadians currently average 74.7 points per game and on average have only conceded 52.7 points in return. Nirra Fields is one of the key players for the Canadians with an average of 16.2 points per match. She is their main
offensive weapon.
Other than Fields, the twin sisters, Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe have played a vital role in Canada’s dominance. Katherine has a 53.8 % field goal shooting record, while Michelle has had a strong three point tournament
with 40% accuracy. Both will have to continue their strong performances against a talented Spanish side. Wumi Agunbiade, with an impressive record of 7 rebounds per game, is another important player in Canada’s arsenal.
In the Spanish camp, however, things are a little different. Spain has had an inconsistent tournament with 3 wins and 3 losses. Although their wins against Chinese Taipei, Slovenia and Chile all came about rather comfortably, they
struggled against the stronger sides. All of Spain’s three losses were tight matches, where they choked under pressure.
Overall, the Spaniards average 69.2 points per game and on average have only conceded 57.7 points. Their main assets are Queralt Casas
and Astou Ndour. Casas has led the offensive front with an average of 12.5 points per game and an incredible 50% shooting accuracy from behind the three point arc. She is indeed one of Spain’s reliable shooters.
Ndour has also been a key player for Spain, with a 47.4% field goal shooting record and a healthy figure of 9.2 rebounds per game. Together, they face a tough competition against the mighty Canadians.
Japan vs Australia
The second quarterfinal features a talented Japanese side against a formidable Australian side. Japan has won 3 and lost 3 so far. They have averaged 76.5 points per game and given away 74 in return.
Japan has its main player in the shape of Aya Watanabe who has averaged a staggering 18 points, 6.3 rebounds and 54.1% field goal shooting accuracy. She is expected to be back after missing the last two matches.
Sanae Motokawa has averaged 51.9 % from the three point range, whereas, Rui Machida has been the playmaker with 5.7 assists per game.
Australia have had a consistent tournament, with 5 wins and just one loss. They have on average scored 69 points against 54.6 points. Tayla Roberts has been the highest scorer with an average of 14 points per game and also a healthy
8.4 rebounds.
Alexandra Bunton has scored her field goals at a precision of 70%, with Rebecca Allen mastering 60% from the three point line. Rebecca Cole has been their playmaker, with an impressive 6.8 assists per game.
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