Anonymous
Years ago
Fiba Oceania un19 tournament 2015 teams
These Championships act as the Oceania qualifying events to the 2015 U19 FIBA World Championships to be played in Greece for the men and Russia for the women in June and July 2015 respectively. With only one place up for grabs at the World Championships, the pressure is intense for Australia to defend their unbroken Gold Medal record in both men's and women’s at this event and live up to their status as favourites. When the event was last played between Australia and New Zealand, the 2012 Championships in Porirua NZL, 2014 NBA draft pick number 5 Dante Exum suited up for Australia showing the strength of the talent playing at this event.This is the first opportunity for many of the competing nations to play for a spot in the World Championships, with FIBA Oceania opening the pathway for all nations to compete last year. The rewards for the competing nations go deeper with the 2015 Pacific Games being played in Papua New Guinea. Many of these U19 players will be looking to get some solid international games under their belt as a way of breaking into the senior national teams. The recent announcement of the Gold and Silver medallist at the Pacific Games going on to play in the newly formed joint Asia/Oceania Championships starting in 2017 is a big opportunity.
COMPETING NATIONS - MALE AND FEMALE
AMERICAN SAMOA*
AUSTRALIA
FIJI
GUAM
NEW CALEDONIA
NEW ZEALAND
PAPUA NEW GUINEA*
SAMOA*
SOLOMON ISLANDS*
TAHITI
*Federation may be withdrawn if further player eligibility information is not received by FIBA Oceania
FIBA Oceania Secretary General David Crocker commented on the championships by saying "ten teams in each gender is a great response to this playing opportunity. Australia and New Zealand may have too much strength and experience for most of the competing teams, but I’m pleased nobody is deterred by this. You don’t get better and close the gap if you don’t play against the best. The tropical conditions of Fiji in December could play some havoc with the Australian and New Zealand teams that won’t be as acclimatised as other competing nations. This is an advantage that could assist some nations that live in this type of climate. I have been able to see a number of the teams preparing for this event already in their national gyms and they are all looking for an edge whether it be in fitness, physicality or their shooting, they all have a strength they are working on".
The tournament will have a competition twist, “playing in two pools of five, at the completion of initial pool play, the top four teams will move into Division One and play for Gold, silver and Bronze medals. And then as a unique initiative for this event, team’s 5-10 will play in Division B, also for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. We want all games to mean something as the tournament gets to the business end” said Secretary General Crocker.
So they only get this one chance now to qualify for worlds or is there another avenue should they miss out?