Australia’s Emus advance with statement win over FranceShayne HopeAAPWed, 2 July 2025 8:45AM
Australia have made a statement in their bid to end a decades-long medal drought at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup with a dominant 71-63 win over France.
Jacob Furphy and Roman Siulepa scored 19 points each for the Emus, who committed 20 turnovers but were in control on the boards in Switzerland.
The lop-sided rebound count (51-31) included 18 offensive rebounds for Australia, with Siulepa (four) leading the charge.
Robbie McKinlay’s team led 19-15 at the end of the first period and extended the margin to 17 points early in the last on their way to a commanding victory.
A second straight win meant the Emus (2-1) finished second in Group D – dubbed the “Group of Death” on FIBA’s website – behind tournament favourites USA.
It followed a thrilling double-overtime victory over Cameroon (101-96) and a first-up loss to USA (88-73).
The Emus next face a knockout clash with the Dominican Republic in the round of 16 on Thursday (3.30am AEST) as they chase a spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.
Eight-time champions USA were one of three teams to finish the group stage undefeated after a blistering shooting display in their 129-70 thrashing of Cameroon.
Mikel Brown and Caleb Holt each hit five of USA’s 19 three-pointers, which equalled the previous mark set by China against Croatia in 2013.
Germany and Israel were also unbeaten in the group stage, with the former now able to avoid meeting USA until the final.
Australia are aiming to emulate the Andrew Bogut-led 2003 Emus outfit, which claimed Under-19 World Cup gold behind the future No.1 NBA draft pick’s MVP performance.
That team, coached by Rob Beveridge, remains the only one from outside North America and Europe to win the Under-19 World Cup since its inception in 1979.
It is also the only Australian men’s team to win gold at a global FIBA tournament.
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