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Spain, Israel and Brazil go 2-0 on Day 3 of the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship in Phuket, Thailand. Australia bounced back to outlast Thailand and Germany opened with a win over USA.


Thailand 46 - 62 Australia


Thailand surprised the Australians with their speed and intensity in the first half, with Australia shooting at only 14% in the first quarter, although still leading by one point, 9-8, and only holding a 4-point lead at half-time, 27-23.


They pushed out to a 10-point lead midway through the third, but Thailand continued to fight and matched Australia as they tied the third 14-14 to keep the deficit at four points going into the final period. Australia’s experience proved the difference down the stretch as they outlasted the host team finishing with a strong 4th quarter, 21-9, to give them the win, 62-46.



Thailand's Chaotarakan (20 pts, 16 reb), and Australia's McHugh (23 pts, 12 reb) both hit double-doubles.


Brazil 80 - 55 France


France, looking to bounce back from their loss against Spain yesterday, came out the stronger of the two in the opening exchanges, but Brazil soon found their scoring touch, as both teams showed their offensive strengths, as France edged it, 22-20. The Brazilians' consistent scoring in the second quarter meant they could open up a gap of ten points going into the half-time break, 41-31 up.



The third quarter was much the same and when Brazil went on a 9-0 run at the end of the period, it was going to need France to produce something special in the fourth as they trailed, 45-63. It wasn't to be as Brazil won the quarter 17-8 and cruised to the win, 80-55.


Brazil's Clemente impressively top scored and secured a double-double of 41 points and 10 rebounds, whilst France's Trabuchet (20 pts, 10 reb), and Traore (10 pts, 10 reb) also hit double-doubles.


Israel 69 - 44 South Africa


Israel were looking for their second win of the tournament, whilst South Africa were looking to get their first win after their narrow defeat to Thailand yesterday.


Israel started the game well and took an 11-6 lead into the second quarter. South Africa slowly worked their way in to the game and briefly took a 3-point lead with under 2 minutes to go to half-time. A 4-0 run by Israel though to finish the quarter meant they held a slender 25-24 advantage at the break.



South Africa's resistance was broken in the third as Israel took command with a quarter score of 26-4, to effectively put the game out of reach of the South Africans. Israel took the fourth 18-16 to finish with the win, 69-44.


Vigoda led all scoring with 25 points for Israel, with Pekerman getting a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. For South Africa, Yalezo hit his own double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds.


Canada 38 - 83 Spain


Spain came out the blocks flying and quickly raced into an 8-0 lead which turned in to 26-11 lead at the end of the first. They opened up with another 8-0 run at the start of the second to put themselves in a commanding position going in to the break, 45-21 up.


Canada had no answer to the Spanish in the second half either as they pressed home their advantage with quarter scores of 20-8 and 18-9, as they ran out comfortable winners, 83-38.


Garcia (17 pts, 13 reb), Garcia Quiles (16 pts, 16 reb), Lorenzo (16 pts, 11 reb) all hit double-doubles for Spain, whilst Ostepchuk scored 11 points for Canada.



Germany 47 - 37 USA


Germany and the USA were each playing their first games of the tournament, and hoping to get off to a winning start. It was a low-scoring first quarter with both teams looking nervous, as Germany edged it 7-4. The USA went on a 10-0 run at the start of the second to open up a lead, but then Germany had a 7-0 run of their own to level it at 14-14, eventually ending 18-16 to USA at half-time.


The third quarter was again even with both teams still looking to find some consistent rhythm, with it all square at 26-26 going into the final 10 minutes. Germany started to score more freely in the fourth winning it by 10 points, 21-11, to take the victory.


Germany's Budde (17 pts, 12 reb) got a double-double, whilst USA's Merendes top scored with 21 points.


Follow all the action from the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship


Photo Credit: Shingo ITO – X-1