Official 2009 U19 FIBA World Cup Championship Thread

[urunobili]

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/olybb/...ory?id=4322044

U.S. tops Greece for U-19 championship
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Associated Press

AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The United States broke an 18-year gold medal drought by beating Greece 88-80 on Sunday to win the FIBA under-19 world basketball championships.

Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor had 18 points and five steals to lead the U.S. to its first victory at the world junior tournament since it claimed the gold medal in Canada in 1991.

"It was a tough game. Greece played their hearts out but I think in the end we wanted it more," Taylor said. "They did what we expected, made a lot of big shots but we managed to tough it out.

"When we played Croatia [in the semifinals] they made a big run at us in the third quarter, as Greece did, but we managed to hold on, and the same thing happened tonight."

The teams were tied 19-19 after the first quarter but the United States pulled away with an outstanding defensive performance in the second period, outscoring Greece 27-11 to lead 46-30 at halftime.

Greece pulled within 60-51 at the end of the third quarter. Three-pointers from Klay Thompson of Washington State and Ashton Gibbs of Pittsburgh allowed the Americans to maintain their cushion in the final period.

Gibbs finished with 13 points and Thompson scored 10. Arnett Moultrie of UTEP had 10 points and nine rebounds. The U.S. showed off its depth, winning even though leading scorer Gordon Hayward of Butler didn't have a point.

Kostas Sloukas had 17 points, four assists and four steals for Greece.

Croatia beat Australia 87-81 to claim the bronze medal, led by Mario Delas with 28 points.

Argentina beat Puerto Rico 92-70 to finish fifth and Canada beat France 82-74 for seventh place.

[Pistons < Spurs]

So U.S.A. beat Greece twice in this tourney right?

[mystargtr34]

I played with Cody Ellis just over a year ago in Juniors. Hes gone from 193cm or 6'4" to 204cm or about 6'8.5" in that time, and put on about 10 kg.

I dont recognise any of the Americans? Any NBA talent?

[BUMP]

Ashton Gibbs from Pitt

and Tyrod Taylor from Kansas

[mystargtr34]

Mario Delas, Croatia captain :

“First of all, they (Australia) are great guys, thanks to them for everything, because the whole tournament you can talk to them about anything. They play very hard and physical, but that’s basketball. Outside the court they are different.

We have them beat two or three times. But they come back and we play bad offence. We have to beat them over and over again! But after all this we won, so I am happy. It’s amazing. Because we are a small country, nobody expects us to do this well.

First half I make three fouls, and my head is I don’t know where. I said to myself, 20 minutes, this is the last 20 minutes of the tournament, you going to be sorry after if you lose. I shoot once, twice, and after that everything I shoot goes in. I surprised myself!

We came here to win a medal. But I could not expect the fans, we thank them for everything, they were a big part of this.”