A massive clash vs France awaits the U19 Emus in the final game of the Group Stage at the FIBA U19 World Cup.
A win against France tonight (1:15am AEST), as well as a USA victory over Cameroon, will ensure Australia’s progression to the Final 16 and an opportunity to generate a run at the competition.
It’s been a wild tournament for the Emus who vastly improved their chances with an incredible 101 – 96 double overtime win against Cameroon in the early hours of Monday morning.
Head Coach Robbie McKinlay provided insight on the game that stunned the basketball world.
“We knew coming in Cameroon were athletic, well coached and competitive. It was certainly a unique game with some of the plays that were made by both teams down the stretch,” said McKinlay.
“This is an opponent (Cameroon) that puts a lot of pressure on the rim, has great size and competes every possession. They made some big shots, and we had a patch where we were not executing and that fed their running game.”
McKinlay gave credit to the collective resilience of the group who reacted confidently as the pressure rose and commended the composure of South Australian Alex Dickeson who landed two essential three-pointers in big moments.
“I’m really pleased for the young man (Dickeson) because he has worked so hard in his craft over the last 18 months, said McKinlay. He showed at the Under 20 Nationals and during the NBL1 season he enjoys the big moment and that was certainly the case here.”
The next challenge may define the Emus destiny in this tournament. Awaiting them, a third ranked France with weapons and incredible potential.
“France is a basketball power at all levels and has a great tradition of success in this event,” said McKinlay. We are speaking about the need to execute consistently and not have lapses, France is an explosive offensive team and we need to win the possession game.”
Follow the game live via FIBA Youtube starting 1:15 AEST. Click here for the AUS v FRA Game Hub
Path to the Final 16
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A win by Australia over France would likely secure 2nd place in Group D, assuming the USA defeats Cameroon. This gives Australia a more favorable matchup in the Round of 16, avoiding a top seed from another group.
| Australia's Group D | Schedule | |||
| June 29 | 1:15am AEST | v USA | Box Score | Watch Here |
| June 30 | 3:30am AEST | v CAMEROON | Box Score | Watch Here |
| July 2 | 1:15am AEST | v FRANCE | Watch Here |
TOURNAMENT RECAP
Game 1: Tough Loss to USA
Australia opened their campaign against the United States, facing the world number one straight off the bat and falling short 88–73.
Jacob Furphy led the Australian side with 24 points, while Roman Siulepa contributed 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Game 2: Double-Overtime Thriller vs. Cameroon
In their second game, Australia faced Cameroon in a match that extended into double overtime.
Trailing by six points with under a minute left in regulation, Alex Dickeson hit a crucial three-pointer with four seconds remaining to tie the game. Australia eventually secured a 101–96 victory.
Roman Siulepa and Dash Daniels each scored 22 points, with Siulepa adding 12 rebounds.
Standout Performers
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Jacob Furphy: Averaging 24.0 points per game, Furphy has been a consistent offensive threat.
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Roman Siulepa: Contributing 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, Siulepa has been a dominant presence in the paint.
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Dash Daniels: Providing crucial support with 22 points in the win over Cameroon.
