Boxscores

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Sweden advanced to the semi-finals of the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women, triumphing 68-65 over Slovakia in a pulsating quarter-final contest.

The match ebbed and flowed throughout, with Sweden relinquishing the lead in the third quarter, but they fought back with a devastating opening to the final 10 minutes which ultimately secured their passage.

Elin Eldebrink top-scored for Sweden with 23 points, but her exploits were surpassed by Slovakia’s Regina Palusna, who claimed 25.

Eldebrink added four rebounds and six assists, while team-mates Louice Halvarsson netted 14 points, with five rebounds and one assist and Frida Eldebrink claimed 11 points, with eight rebounds.

Palusna dominated the boards for Slovakia with a remarkable 19 rebounds, but despite her considerable presence the hosts could not advance to the final four.

Slovakia had fallen behind by six points after the first period (23-17), but it could have been worse as Sweden had established a 12-point advantage at one stage.

The hosts then came back in the second, but the Scandinavians scored seven unanswered points to end the half on a high and 39-34 in front.

A resurgent Slovakia again clawed their way back in the third quarter, taking it by 19-7 and gaining a seven-point lead 53-46.

But Sweden hit back, claiming 14 points without reply to establish their own seven-point advantage, and they went on to secure the victory.

Matt McGeechan
FIBA