Great opening day in Australia of the World Cup. The 12 teams have opened their respective paths with the first individual flashes and greasing the collective machinery for what is going to be 10 very intense days. We review what the day has given of itself:
Australia 57-70 France
One of the closest matches of the day in Sydney. Led by a spectacular Gabby Williams (23 points in 24 ‘), France has won a meritorious victory in what has meant the return of Lauren Jackson to a World Cup. The local error, exaggerated. Good versions of Marine Fauthoux and Alexia Chartereau.
20 points for @gabbywilliams15who’s simply dominating this game ????#FIBAWWC x @FRABasketball pic.twitter.com/qIdlAnT4qH
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 22, 2022
South Korea 44-107 China
The beating of the day. China, with Spaniard César Rupérez on the staff, showed their power once morest one of the championship’s underdogs. Without forcing any of their stars and distributing minutes, up to 9 players finished above the 10 PIR. Xu Han, New York Liberty player, 12 points and 15 rebounds in just 20 minutes.
Japan 89-56 Mali
Not even the loss of Rui Machida has shaken the ideals of a Japanese National Team that has deeply internalized its philosophy of play. Japan peppered Mali from the outside (16/37 T3) and involved their entire rotation in the match, which is why the bench reached 48 points. The show, on this occasion, was put on by Aika Hirashita. The 20-year-old, in her World Cup debut, saw the hoop as a swimming pool.
???????? Aika Hirashita’s World Cup debut at the age of 20: 17 points (5/6 T3) in 16 minutes. #FIBAWWC | @FIBAWWC
– Luis Vallejo (@Lvallejocolom) September 22, 2022
Canada 67-60 Serbia
Despite being scheduled for the first day of competition, a key meeting for the aspirations of both teams. With France, Australia and Japan in the group, the outcome of this event might be key in hindsight and thus the tension in it was noted. In a game marked by the toughness of the defenses and the lack of fluidity in the 5×5, the second chances and the points following the Serbian losses made the difference in favor of Víctor Lapeña’s team, who did not lose face in the clash in any time despite rival pressure.
United States 87-72 Belgium
Without A’Ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and Chelsea Gray, America had enough with the leadership of Alyssa Thomas and Breanna Stewart. Cheryl Reeve’s side dominated the clash from start to finish, causing 25 turnovers thanks to intensity and changes at the back, and reduced Emma Meesseman to a minimum. Without the usual leading role of their biggest star, the collective version of the Belgian Cats was still positive and the distribution of tasks was greater than on other occasions, relying on the outside shot in general and on Julie Allemand in particular.
???????? Alyssa Thomas vs Bélgica:
▪️14 PTS (60% FG)
▪️9 ASIS
▪️7 REB
▪️2 STL
▪️27 EFF#FIBAWWC | @FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/J72nepW77F– Luis Vallejo (@Lvallejocolom) September 22, 2022
Bosnia y Herzegovina 58-82 Puerto Rico
Great first day for the couple formed by Arella Guirantes and Mya Hollingshed (#8 in the 2022 WNBA Draft). The new Puerto Rican duo, accompanied by a solid version of the entire starting lineup, overcame a Bosnian National Team that did not accompany its star, Jonquel Jones. The center was the best despite the obvious fatigue (72 hours before she was playing the WNBA Finals) and went up to 15 points and 8 rebounds in 25 minutes.
????????Arella Guirantes vs. Bosnia:
▪️26 PTS (55%)
▪️9 REB
▪️8 ASIS
▪️3 STL
▪️36 EFF#FIBAWWC | @FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/muCeozllqo– Luis Vallejo (@Lvallejocolom) September 22, 2022
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