|
U16 International Youth Basketball
|
The U16 age group is still the most exciting youth category because of two things: The players tend to do the opposite of what the coaches say and U16 players do not know how to play zone.
The Netherlands' trademark over the years is the ability to bang in three-pointers. On first impression this has not changed but this group of players have developed an interesting inside game.
At the start of of the match the Netherlands played at high tempo and led (8-0) with just over four minutes played.
The French players finally got going with the CFBB players doing much of the early chasing for France.
The Netherlands led (20-7) but finished the first quarter with a (0-6) reversal.
The French players were then on top and chipped away at the score slowly. The Netherlands shooting disappeared but their defending was solid and they held on to the advantage (28-25) at the break.
France went in front for the first time with 23 minutes played (32-30) and appeared that they were going to run away with the game.
However this was the time that the Dutch team alternated between full court and half court press with some zone. The French players started to turn the ball over while the Netherlands were ice cold in transition with Laura Cornelius (in picture) running the show.
The Netherlands were back on top and led (43-38) going into the final quarter. The last ten minutes were rather defensive with the game not flowing but the suspense remained.
The game went down to the wire. Fleur Kuijt showed great composure from the charity stripes while France continued to miss the unmissable.
The Netherlands hung on to victory (61-57).
Arnaud Guppillotte the French coach explained that he only had six days with this group of players for the partnership tournament last year while the Netherlands have been playing together for a couple of years. So it should not come as a surprise that they lost the match.
The Netherlands have had to juggle the international youth basketball programme this year because some of the players in France at the moment are also members of the U17 squad - who are playing a tournament in the Netherlands - preparing for the U17 World Championship this summer.
France 57-61 Netherlands (13-20, 12-8, 13-15, 19-18)
France: Duchet 14, Limousin 0, Balle Bonza 7, Bouderra, Clanet 10, Dambach 3, Blatrie 9, Ba 3, Bakabadio, Milapie 5, Cirgue 6, Turmel.
Netherlands: Kantebeen 0, Cornelius 23, Kuijt 12, Van Der Wielen 0, Berends 0, Rikhof 0 , Fokke, Vos 5, Van Kleef 2, Steggink 2, Hof 12, Ndiba 5.
Spain, building a new international youth basketball programme
Leticia Romero and Maria Arrojo who had played major roles for the U16 team in 2011 and starred in this tournament last year are preparing with the U17 world championship. So the Spanish team we are seeing in France are actually new players.
The Czech Republic also have a number of young players which explained the slow start to the game. Both teams struggled early on shooting and neither coach was able find the right balance.
All the same the Czech Republic led for most of the first half as they tried to set the pace. Spain managed to rally back to tie the game by the interval (25-25).
The second half was more exciting with plenty of running and commitment. However the finishing was poor as neither team was able to take advantage of their string moments.
Spain struggled from the free-throw line and paid the prize later for their generosity as the Czech Republic took the lead for good with about 12 seconds to play.
Czech Republic 52-50 Spain (10-9, 15-16, 11-8, 16-17)
Czech Republic: Mircová 5, Beránková 2, Kopecká 4, Andělová 3, Potočková 4, Reisingerová 13, Červenková 3, Klára Křivánková 5, Mainclová 7, Kaňuková 6, Krejčová 0.
Spain: Vicente 9, Salvadores 9, Cazorla 6, Lo 0, Molinuevo 0, Laura Quevedo 4, Clavero 6, Capella 2, Conde 6, Calvo 2, Zaragoza 2, Romeu 4.
Visit our 2012 Poinçonnet Tournoi International Cadettes page
Visit our U16 FIBA Europe youth basketball European Championship history page
Visit our France U16 youth international basketball section
Return to the top of youth basketball page page
Youth basketball picture credits:
Antony Moiny
iBasketball.nl
Poinçonnet 2012 Tournament Page
Poinçonnet - 2011
26 April 2011: Spain beat France to win the competition
25 April 2011: Spain step on the gas in the second half against the Netherlands
24 April 2011: Demonstration by France and Spain on day 1
23 April 2011: France, Italy, Netherlands and Spain ready for Poinçonnet 2011
23 April 2011: The French roster for 2011
Poinçonnet - 2010
05 April 2010: France beat Spain, while Poland defeated Belgium
04 April 2010: France and Spain remain undefeated
03 April 2010: Good start for France and Spain
02 April 2010: Belgium, France, Poland and Spain prepared for Poinçonnet
Previous Tournaments
14 April 2009: Recap: France beat Spain for the title
25 March 2008: Recap: Spain too strong for France