China’s Under-19 basketball team faced a tough challenge at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Lausanne, Switzerland, as they suffered their third consecutive loss in Group B. Despite a strong start against Slovenia, the Chinese squad ultimately fell 99-82 on Tuesday.
China came out energized, with Zhu Zheng, Huan Sinan, and Zhang Boyuan sparking a 6-0 run that pushed them ahead 11-5 early in the game. Zhang and Chen Jiazheng added crucial two-pointers, extending the lead to 17-8 and setting a hopeful tone for the match.
However, Slovenia responded emphatically with a 10-0 run, seizing control of the game and maintaining the momentum thereafter. Key players Leon Ivicic and Urban Kroflic were on fire from beyond the arc, sinking a combined nine three-pointers and contributing 36 points to their team’s tally. Zak Smrekar added 14 points, bolstering Slovenia’s offense.
Slovenia’s dominance continued into the second and third quarters, highlighted by a 13-0 run and a subsequent 10-0 burst that saw them surge to their largest lead at 71-43. This commanding advantage left China struggling to keep pace.
Despite the uphill battle, China’s players showed determination. Zhang, Huan, and Ao Feng worked tirelessly to narrow the deficit, with Ao and Huan both scoring a team-high 12 points. Their efforts helped trim the final margin to 17 points.
Although China did not secure a win during the group stage, they have advanced to the round of 16 and will face New Zealand in the knockout phase on Wednesday. The team remains hopeful and focused on improving their performance in the upcoming match.
The journey continues for China’s U19 team as they aim to capitalize on the lessons learned from the group stage. Fans will be eager to see how they adjust and compete against New Zealand in the next round.
