KLATOVY/PILSEN (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - The line-up for the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women has been set, but only after France and the Czech Republic narrowly avoided upsets to make it to Friday's games in Pilsen.

Boasting standout star Julia Reisingerova and the backing of the home fans, the host nation were almost undone by the previously misfiring Italy who found their rhythm and led by double-figures at one stage. But, in a thrilling conclusion, the Czechs found an extra gear during crunch time to sneak a priceless 61-57 triumph.

While Reisingerova top scored with 15 points, it was Lenka Soukalova who shone brightly with an excellent 12 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. That has set up a tie with unbeaten Australia, who eased past Mali 72-34 as Bride Kennedy-Hopoate top-scored with 13 points.

A paltry four points in the last quarter had left Italy wondering what might have been and it was a very similar case for the Slovak Republic, who allowed France to snatch a 47-42 victory from the jaws of defeat. They also held an eight-point lead going into the last period, but their offensive wheels came crashing off too, as they harvested an eye-watering four points in the final 10 minutes.

Ornella Bankole showed she had ice running through her veins by scoring over half of her 22 points for France from the free-throw line and not missing a foul shot all night. Veronika Remenarova claimed 17 points and 11 rebounds for the crestfallen Slovakians.

France next face Spain, who are undefeated after four games of the tournament, their latest success arriving by way of a one-sided 81-50 win against Korea. Angela Salvadores added to her tournament haul with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Ji Su Park replied with 15 points and 16 boards.

Hungary are another team yet to taste defeat and they made it four wins in as many games after storming into the last eight with a 100-47 victory against Egypt. Virag Kiss plundered a terrific double-double of 17 points and 11 boards, while Raneem Mohamed had 17 points for the losing side.

Japan now stand in the way of Hungary and a place in the Semi-Finals after they extracted some sweet revenge against China with a 69-44 win which helped to heal the memory of losing to their rivals in the Final of the 2013 FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women. Yuki Kato and Tamami Nakada both had solid shooting nights and combined for 33 points.

Canada got past Brazil, 52-40, thanks to a blistering 19-6 final quarter and 19 points from the ever-reliable Bridget Carleton. Their reward is a clash against their neighbours after the USA romped past Mexico, 91-35, with Arike Ogunbowale racking up 19 points.

The Quarter-Finals will take place in Pilsen on Friday, with the teams who missed out on a place in the last eight all congregating in Klatovy to fight it out for the 9-16 Classification Places.

FIBA