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28 June, 2014
06 July
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03/12/2013
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FIBA - Field complete for 2014 U17 World Championship for Women

BRATISLAVA (2014 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - The field is finally set for the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women as China, Korea and Japan sealed the last three berths for the third edition of the tournament, to be played in Slovak Republic.

The Asian trio completes the 16-team line-up, which also includes the host nation in an expanded field, with the 2014 edition facilitating places for four more teams than the 12 that participated in the first two editions in 2010 and 2012.

There will be five teams making their FIBA U17 World Championship for Women debut in the shape of Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Mexico and Slovak Republic.

Meanwhile, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mali and the USA are the five teams making their third appearance and keeping an ever-present record in the tournament.

China grabbed their place after overturning a double-digit deficit in the Final of the FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women against Japan to take gold. Despite a double-double from Satsuki Shibuya, the Japanese had to settle for silver and Korea claimed bronze off the back of a fabulous triple-double from the exciting Heji An in an 86-64 win over Chinese Taipei.

Australia took gold at the FIBA Oceania U16 Championship for Women after comfortably seeing off New Zealand in a three-game series, thanks mainly to the efforts of Tahlia Tupaea.

Mali claimed gold in a magnificently dramatic Final of the FIBA Africa U16 Championship for Women against Egypt, taking the top spot on the podium after a thrilling and memorable one-point success.

From the Americas, defending champions USA and neighbours Canada return, while Brazil are back again, after having failed to make it for the first ever event.

Asia Durr was the standout for the USA, who will again be the team to beat as they look for a third gold on the bounce. She was on fire and crowned MVP at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship Women.

Making up the Americas quartet will be newcomers Mexico, who will rely on Nayeli Ortiz as they step out for the first time.

In addition to Slovak Republic, the European contingent will be made up with FIBA Europe U16 Championship for Women winners Spain and their inspirational leader Angela Salvadores, who might give them a shot at making the Final again next summer.

Center Julia Reisingerova took Czech Republic to a silver medal in Varna, Bulgaria earlier this year and will be a player to watch as they make a debut.

The same goes for Hungary, who landed bronze off the back of some dazzling play by Debora Dubei who scored a magnificent 19 points and 10 rebounds in the Bronze Medal Game in Bulgaria.

Italy return and will have the exciting Francesca Pan in their ranks, while France - finalists at the inaugural U17 Women tournament on home soil in 2010 - squeezed into the line-up after not making it to Amsterdam.

The draw for the event will take place on 26 February 2014 and the tournament itself will run from 28 June to 6 July.

FIBA