Ellis' Emus Finish Fourth At Worlds
Australia’s Under-19 Men’s team, the Emus, have finished fourth at the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Men after a tense 87-81 loss to Croatia in the Bronze medal decider at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand this afternoon.
Scores were tied in the final minute of play before Croatia’s Ivan Batur hit a heartbreaking three for an 84-81 lead, Australia’s attempts to level rimmed out in the dying seconds.
Australian forward Mitchell Young scored a team high 15 points and grabbed six rebounds. Emus Captain Matthew Dellavedova added 14 points and six rebounds in support and Ryan Broekhoff posted 11 points and a team nest seven rebounds. Croatia’s Mario Delas dominated in the low post to lead all scorers with 28 points off a spectacular 24-point effort in the second half.
Emus Head Coach Marty Clarke said he was proud of his team’s efforts.
“I don’t think anything went wrong, [Croatia] were a bloody good team. Delas is a great player; we didn’t double him like we wanted to but things don’t always go the way you want. I’m really proud of our guys. That was a great effort from a great Australian team,” Clarke said.
"In the long run they were better than us, simple as that. I’m most happy with our guys’ effort, their commitment to our program... I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Dellavedova agreed Delas was the difference.
“Delas really got it going and we couldn’t really stop him,” Dellavedova said.
“It was a great experience... it was just unfortunate we couldn’t get it done today.
The Australians came into the encounter with a 7-1 win-loss record at the tournament, including a 79-74 triumph over Croatia in the Eighth Finals round, their only loss coming to Greece last night, relegating the Emus to the Bronze medal playoff. Croatia lost its own thrilling semi final against the USA 81-77.
The Emus were active on defence in the opening quarter, getting up in the faces of Croatia and getting their hands on the ball. Croatia was efficient and deadly from 3-point range but did not get back fast enough on defence; the Emus took full advantage to push down court quickly and take it straight to the hoop.
The Australian guards were driving to the basket and taking on the Croatian big men, drawing two early fouls from Croatia's leading Delas but the Croatians held an eight point advantage at the first break, 28-20.
Dellavedova opened the second term with a three from deep and added four more points with a drive on Delas and a shot-clock beating jump shot. The 7-0 run brought Australia back within one point and the Emus started to look dangerous.
The Emus got out to a three point lead but Croatian point guard Toni Prostran kept his team in the game in the second term with 12 points, and coming up with crucial plays when needed. Croatia's big men got into foul trouble as Delas and Darko Planinic finished the half with three fouls apiece, as did Australia's Dellavedova. Just one point separated the teams at halftime, Croatia leading 46-45.
Croatia’s offence in the third quarter was all about Delas as he came alive and went strong to the basket for 15 points in the term. When playmaker Dellavedova went to the bench with his fourth foul and five minutes left in the quarter the Australians started to struggle offensively and were down 66-60 at the final break.
Delas opened the scoring again in the fourth quarter with a three point play but the Emus kept fighting and driving to the basket to get within three points.
Quick hands from Dellavedova stole the ball for the Emus and when Ryan Broekhoff hit a three and Christian Salecich converted two free throws the scores were levelled at 79-79 and Australia was on a roll.
The run ended too quickly when Dellavedova was given his fifth foul and sent to the bench. Without their Captain to steer them, the Emus had no answer when Delas dished to Batur for the killer blow.
The USA and Greece contest the Gold Medal decider from 5.00pm AEST.
Quarter by quarter:
1: CRO 28 AUST 20
H: CRO 46 AUST 45 (18-25)
3: CRO 66 AUST 60 (20-15)
F: CRO 87 AUST 81 (21-21)
AUSTRALIA 81 (Mitchell Young 15, Matthew Dellavedova 14, Ryan Broekhoff 11) defeated by
GREECE 87 (Mario Delas 28, Toni Prostran 21, Tomislav Zubcic 16)
At North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
Article by Basketball Australia
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