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Day two saw China, Turkey, USA, France and Russia continue their undefeatead play, while Australia suffered their first loss despite an unlikely overtime they managed to force against France.
China led throughout the game with Croatia getting a couple of times in front during the first quarter thanks to a very high shooting percentage in that frame. Chinese defense adjusted while the Croats got colder from the floor and their defense continued to allow China to take whatever shots they liked, not being able to stop their pick-and-roll. Young Marija Vrsaljko was no match for Nan Chen, you can also say that about the rest of the Croatian post rotation, too.
Croatia – China 58-83
Croatia: Mandir 22, Jelavic 11, Ivezic 7
China: N.Chen 28 (10 reb), Miao 17 (10 as), Gao 13, X.Chen 11, Ma 9
Czech Republic are having themselves a nightmare start to the games. With offense struggling they once again were trailing for almost all of the game. Only Czech player who has been able to connect from distance is Eva Viteckova, while guards like Katerina Elhotova, Hana Horakova have been struggling so far. Horakova’s time on the court was even cut in favor of Katerina Bartonova. Bartonova finished the night with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Czech comeback attempts were led by Jana Vesela whose biggest opponent turned out to be herself – she picked up her fourth foul in the third quarter. In order to remain on the court she had to let up on defense, allowing the likes of Caglar and Ivegin get off good shots.
For the Turks it ultimately came down to timely scores by the likes of Bahar Caglar, Nevriye Yilmaz and Saziye Ivegin.
Czech Republic – Turkey 57-61
Czech Republic: Vesela 19, Viteckova 11, Elhotova 8
Turkey: Caglar 11, Yilmaz 11, Palazoglu 11, Ivegin 9
France, Australia game was everything that was expected of it, considering the caliber of the teams.
Having started off stronger, running out to an 8 point lead, Australians got themselves in foul trouble which allowed the French to cut in to the lead. Foul trouble was a leading theme for the Australians throughout the game.
As was inability to shoot from the distance where Opals were 4 from 19. With one of them being a Hail Mary at the end of regulation. Australians got that chance to tie up the game late after France did their best to not ice the game with a missed layup and a missed freethrow in the final seconds of the game.
Australian hopes of French being emotionally stunned by the turn of events didn’t materialize, as the French looked more amused than stunned. They showed it in overtime by outplaying the shorthanded (Jackson and Cambage were sent off with 5 fouls each) Opals.
France – Australia 74-70 OT
France: Gomis 22, Dumerc 13, Gruda 11, Lawson-Wade 11, Yacoubou 10
Australia: Batkovic 17 (10 reb), Jackson 13, Cambage 12, O’Hea 10
Similarly as against France, Brazil managed to not allow Russia build a quick lead, but then again they never looked like they could seriously challenge Russia for the victory.
Damiris hasn’t been able to follow up her stellar play with the U19 and senior NT last summer with anything of substance in the last 10 months. This game was no exception. You can blame the lack of support for De Souza for 3 of the Russian 4 top scorers being posts.
On the Russian side of things, Irina Osipova played one of her best games in quite some time. There’s still a big room for improvement for the European champions. There should be no doubt that they’ll be much better by the time the playoffs roll around.
Russia – Brazil 69-59
Russia: Belyakova 14, Osipova 13, Kuzina 11, Grishaeva 9
Brazil: De Souza 15 (18 reb), De Oliveira 12, Costa 11
In the late night set of games, Canada this time managed to hold on to a lead, despite giving it up late in the fourth quarter in what looked like a deja vu of their game against Russia.
Julie Page gave GB a 4 point lead with 6 minutes remaining in the game, but than Natalia Achonwa, Kim Smith and Shona Thorburn took over, leading a Canada 16-4 run to close out the game.
Natalie Stafford improved from bad to mediocre but that’s still not good enough. Rachel Wanderwal after scoring 11 points against Australia didn’t even make an appearance. If she’s not injured there will certainly be plenty of angry British fans about that decision by coach Maher.
Canada looks like a team that could challenge Brazil for the fourth spot in the group with the way they have been playing.
Great Britain – Canada 65-73
Great Britain: Stafford 15, Leedham 15, Page 8
Canada: Thorburn 18, Smith 11, Pilypaitis 11, Murphy 9
I always feel sorry for the overmatched teams that get destroyed on the court. This was no exception. USA didn’t give the African the slightest ray of hope.
Angola – USA 38-90
Angola: Guadalupe 10, Jorge 8, Camufal 6
USA: Parker 14 (12 reb), Augustus 13, Moore 11, McCoughtry 10, Whalen 9
