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Youth international basketball perfection for France and Spain in Sweden France and Spain have some of the best youth international basketball players in this age group. So it comes as no surprise that both nations have qualified for the final U18 European Championship Women in Södertälje.France beat the Czech Republic (74-52) despite starting the game slowly. They were trailing (7-11) after five minutes. However once France started going nothing could stop them as they scored 14 unanswered points to lead (21-11) by the end of the first period. France controlled the second period and went into the interval leading (40-23). The second half was more lively. But France were never in trouble and paced themselves to the final. Jerome Fournier's side will meet Spain in Sunday's final in a repeat of the U16 final of 2007 between the two teams with many of the players from that final in the roster this time. France's Allison Vernerey scored 14 points and finished with 11 rebounds. Isabelle Strunc and Eléonore Grossemy also had 14 points apiece. Spain waited for 26 minutes while leading (41-37)to step on the accelerator. They pulled away from the hosts Sweden with an 18-4 run spread over the third and fourth quarter as they stormed to victory (72-53). News from Division A France and Spain Remain undefeated France in pole position for qualification round France already in Qualification round Division B news Finland, Greece and Portugal join the last 8 Germany and Slovenia qualify quarter-final Bosnia, Hungary and Israel already in quarter-final The Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland are out of the competition Israel make home advantage count Slovenia, Germany and Greece qualify for next round Israel open with a win with 28 points from Cohen U18 European Championship Women Division B 2009 is hosted by Israel Return to the Youth International Basketball Index page Youth international basketball picture credits: Date created: 11 July 2009
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