Boxscores l Photo Gallery

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Sweden denied Serbia a second successive final spot after outscoring them by 17 points in the fourth quarter to win their semi-final 85-75.

Serbia, the 2005 FIBA U19 World Championship for Women silver medalists, took advantage of their opponents’ failure to sink a single three-pointer in the first three periods to lead by seven points going into the final quarter.

However, they then suffered the same profligacy themselves though, missing a host of shots from outside the arc and scoring just four points in the last six minutes as Sweden surged to victory.

Sweden had briefly lead by nine points early in the first quarter, but a 10-0 scoring burst in the final three minutes put Serbia 22-20 ahead.

The second period was nip and tuck, Sweden’s three Fridas of Eldebrink, Aili and Grahn combining to keep their side level at 42-42 at the midway point.

Irena Matovic made seven points in two-and-a-half minutes but each time Serbia edged in front, Sweden pegged them back, until a series of successful free throws edged the Eastern Europeans ahead at 63-56 with 10 minutes to play.

This was the cue for the Scandinavians to find their range from outside the arc though and after successive Frida Eldebrink free throws had got them within touching distance, twin sister Elin sunk the first of four three-pointers to level at 71-71 with 06:19 on the clock.

While Sweden had discovered their scoring touch, Serbia appeared to have lost their own, making only four more points.

Matovic sunk a jump shot with 30 seconds left to bring the scores to within four points, but the Eldebrink sisters combined to hit six without reply and fire their team into the final.

Frida Eldebrink also grabbed nine rebounds on her way to a game-high total of 23 points, while Dragana Gobeljic scored 16 points for the losers. 

David Broome
FIBA