|
2012 FIBA Europe
|
Karen Burton is leading England in her sixth consecutive U16 FIBA Europe European Championships but only her first in Division A.
England are in Group C with traditional A nations at U16 level: Croatia, Czech Republic and France.
England opened the championship with a game against Croatia and unfortunately pre-match nerves handicapped the team as they struggled for the first 20 minutes in all areas of the game.
Croatia pressed England into 20 first-half turnovers and allowed them only one success from open play during the second quarter.
Croatia built an (8-3) early lead into a commanding advantage (22-11) after a 10-0 run. The contest was more or less over by the interval with Croatia leading (39-16).
The Croatian coach Dean Nemec tried out different things during the second half of the match but failed in extending the lead as England pulled themselves together.
For England Leah McDerment was the leading scorer with 10 points.
McDerment who is playing in her fourth FIBA Europe U16 championship explained that the difficulty for her team was the speed of the opposing guards, something she had not experienced before.
You can watch here the after-match comments from McDerment.
Croatia Dora Jordanic 3, Antonija Bozic 0, Iva Slonjsak 10, Anja Kukolja 2, Ivana Dojkic 22, Tihana Stojsavljevic 2, Klaudia Perisa 2, Daria Mijatovic 4, Lucija Milosevic 5, Anita Kelava 10, Maja Marosevicn 0 Patricia Bura 7
England Parris Wilkinson 2, Shanice Norton 6, Samanta Clement 5, Leah McDerment 10, Ellen Maidman 0, Rhianna-Mae Laing 3, Chyna Sawyers 0, Savannah Wilkinson 8, Johanna Adenrele DNP, Ellen Lewis 2, Sadie Russell 4, Evelyn Adebay 2
France's power and height were too much for Croatia
When looking at the final scoreline beating Czech Republic (68-39) one may think that France had it easy. However this was not the case.
Louise Dambach (in picture) from France were in electrifying form and France appeared to be comfortable and the pick-and-roll system worked well.
However the Czech Republic's coaching staff of Richard Fousek and his assistant Richard Klein changed tactics and went small.
Eva Moucková's quick pace troubled France and the Czech Republic outscored France 8-2 to finish the first quarter trailing (12-17).
The second quarter was typical of U16 high level FIBA youth international basketball with a lot of effort and little reward with both teams missing the unmissable but hitting the difficult shots.
Both coaches became speechless and it required a time-out by Arnaud Guppillotte, the French coach to kick-start things.
He questioned his players about what they were doing and then he asked them to respect the scouting and to start playing with their heads.
France then slowly pulled away (27-16) and opened up a double-digit lead (27-16) with 16 minutes played.
Both teams struggled in attack during the last four minutes but France were still able to extend their advantage (30-16) at the interval.
The third quarter was delightful as it turned into a battle of the guards with Duchet and Marylie Limousin from France taking on Gabriela Andelová and Moucková.
Neither side won as they tied the quarter (17-17) allowing France to maintain their advantage (47-33).
France turned on the turbo in the final quarter with Dombach leading the charge and excellent hustle scores by Carla Blatrie to cruise to victory (68-39).
In the FIBA Europe after-match comments Camille Cirque speaks about the honour of representing France while Maimouna Ba adds information about the match and the history of the fish mascot.
France: Alix Duchet 6, Marylie Limousin 8, Lisa Berkani 4, Marie Milapie 2, Katia Clanet 4, Louise Dambach 18, Carla Blatrie 9, Maimouna Ba 10, Ornella Bankole 10, Mathilde Combes 6, Camille Cirgue 0, Angélina Turmel 0
Czech Republic: Gabriela Andelová 11, Eva Kopecká 3, Aneta Mainclová 0, Lucie Cervenková 0, Tereza Kraciková 0, Katerina Pracharová 4, Eva Moucková 0, Michaela Kanuková 2, Klára Krivánková 2, Hana Veselá 2, Eliska Mircová 2, Sarah Beránková 13
Return to the top of page
FIBA Europe U16 Championship picture credits:
womensbasketball-in-france.com
Date created: 13 July 2012
Last Updated: 14 July 2012
Picture Gallery: First three days
U16 Division A
22 July 2012 Spain defends U16 crown
21 July 2012 Spain and Italy in final while France qualify for 5th place match
20 July 2012 Belgium, Italy Russia and Spain in semi-final while England relegated
18 July 2012 Russia are the only unbeaten team going into Final Round
17 July 2012 Eight teams already qualified for the quarter-finals
16 July 2012 Spain defeat France while Belgium and Russia remain unbeaten
16 July 2012 Title aspiration or Division A survival
14 July 2012 First phase ends with tears for Serbia
13 July 2012 7 teams already in Qualifying Round - England out
12 July 2012 Group D: Netherland's power, Italy's delight
12 July 2012 Great starts in Group C for France and Croatia
12 July 2012 Olympic dreams started with U16 international basketball in 2004
U16 Division B