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18 - 26
July 2015
5 Maria VADEEVA (Russia)
23/07/2015
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Intriguing match-ups await in Quarter-Finals

CHEKHOV/VIDNOE (2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship) - The Quarter-Finals of the 2015 FIBA U19 Women's World Championship are upon us, with some fascinating match-ups in Chekhov and with four teams still flawless.

China v Australia
Unbeaten Australia are being tipped to make their way to the podium due to their four impressive performances so far, but they meet an opponent with big momentum behind them. Indeed China have only lost once and that was to the USA. They are also the most ruthless team in the tournament and shooting a competition high of 44.2 percent from the floor.

Australia are also shining offensively and average a massive 86 points per game, mostly down to the depth they have right through their roster. The Gems can run the floor or utilise their size to play more of a half-court game and those options for head coach Paul Gorris means China will really have to sharpen up their defensive efforts.

But the Australians turn the ball over more times than any other team in the Quarter-Finals and will have to take better care of it. They will also have to be alert on the perimeter as China are the best three-point shooting side around.

Alanna Smith, Alicia Froling and Lauren Scherf have all looked in good form for Australia and Kristy Wallace is both shooting and distributing the ball well. Jinbo Xing is leading China in scoring, but the all-round game and efficiency of Meiqi Zhu has caught the eye.

Spain v Belgium
It has been something of a slow burner so far for Spain who lost to USA and China in the first phase and then squeezed past Netherlands in an exciting Round of 16 match-up.

With reigning FIBA Europe Young Women's Player of the Year Angela Salvadores around, anything is possible. With some people waiting for the guard to catch fire, it is worth noting she has not only poured in 17.5 points per game, but is actually her team's most efficient player.

With Laura Quevedo and Helena Orts solid in the frontcourt, others will have to contribute on the glass as Spain are actually the worst team in the entire tournament for rebounding.

Belgium have been a revelation and shrugged off being without a couple of their better players to win every game and make it to the Last Eight. They have done a good job in most facets of the game and always look to Julie Allemand for inspiration, with Heleen Nauwaelers also instrumental.

Russia v France
The penultimate Quarter-Final clash is a repeat of last year's U18 European Championship Women Final and features most of the same protagonists.

Although unlike last year, Russia have two more frontcourt stars to give France even more of a headache in the paint. Maria Vadeeva and Sparta&K M.R. Vidnoje colleague Raisa Musina have been terrific so far and especially the former, who has shown exactly why she played with the senior team at EuroBasket Women 2015.

Russia have looked after the ball very well and dominated on the boards, although they have an issue with their outside shooting.

France will rely heavily on the fine play of Louise Dambach who has been outstanding, while Marylie Limousin showed in the Round of 16 win against Brazil that she can be dangerous from downtown.

USA v Canada
The Quarter-Finals will close with the defending champions USA meeting Canada in an all-Americas derby clash.

USA head coach Dawn Staley watched her country win the title two years ago in Lithuania and now in the coaching hot-seat, has already demanded her team stays focused in coming days.

In terms of the frontcourt, the USA have been rampant via the play of A'Ja Wilson, the rebounding of Lauren Cox and the energetic work of small forward Napheesa Collier who has excelled. But the guards perhaps still have something to prove in tournament crunch time.

Stopping the USA will be tough for Canada as they looked to be heading to the Classification Round, before pulling out a big comeback win in the Round of 16 against Serbia.

Rich Chambers and his team will have to finally find their range from behind the three-point line if they are to be successful. There will also be huge work for the likes of Lauren Yearwood around the hoop and all eyes will be on the offensive production of Bridget Carleton and especially around the perimeter.

FIBA