After one day of competition all the european teams were unbeaten. But after two days only Germany and Poland don't know what is to lose in the U-17 World Championship held in Hamburg (Germany). Both squads have a 2-0 record, taking positions to try to make it to the quarterfinals. Only one game was played between two teams of Europe. Germany, the local group, added a great win against the current U-16 european champions. Spain lost 64-74 in another good game of its leader, Daniel Diez ('93). The power-forward collected his second double-double in two games with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 2 steals. At his side Jaime Fernández ('93), the MVP of the final last summer in Kaunas, poured 12 points with 2/4 from downtown, but not enough. Germans shined in a great level, with serbian-borned Bogdan Radosavljevic ('93) leading with 18 points (7/10 twos), 6 boards and 3 blocks. Guard Jakob Krumbeck ('93), the best in the preparation games, added 13 with 6/13 FG. Locals are showing why they played an amazing Albert Schweitzer Tournament in Mannheim some months ago even they were the youngest group. We'll see what they will do infront they crowd.
In the same group B Poland beat South Korea (101-83). At half time polish were already 16 points up due to the great job of their important pieces. Mateusz Ponitka ('93) scored easy again (26 with 11/18 FG), while Przemek Karnowski ('93) -like Diez (Spain)- collected his second double-double in a row with 16 points (even 5/15 twos), 17 boards and 3 blocks. Piotr Niedzwiedzki ('93) scored 15 with 7/9 FG in only 20 minutes.
Finally, in the last game of this group Canada beat Australia (76-68).
Standings group B: Poland (2-0), Germany (2-0), Canada (1-1), Spain (1-1), Australia (0-2) and South Korea (0-2).
Let's check what happened in group A. Lithuania and Serbia couldn't add their second win in the championship after losing their respective games. Lithuanians were crashed by USA (102-66) in a dunk contest of the americans, who were winning by 19 at the end of the first quarter. Nothing to say. Guard Rokas Narkevicius ('93) didn't waste his time, becoming the leading scorer of his team with 14 points (5/9 FG) in only 13 minutes. Guard Aurimas Urbonas ('93) added 10 with 2/5 from downtown.
About Serbia they lost in the last game played yesterday night infront China (74-71). Rising-star Nenad Miljenovic ('93) wasn't enough for them even he poured 22 points dishing 5 assists. Center Nemanja Bezbradica ('93) also made a good job with 12 points (6/11 FG) and 5 rebounds, while Marko Cirovic ('93) added 12 with 4/5 twos.
Finally Argentina crashed Egypt (69-98).
Standings group A: USA (2-0), Serbia (1-1), Argentina (1-1), China (1-1), Lithuania (1-1) and Egypt (0-2).
Photo: FIBA.COM (polish Tomasz Gielo)
