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Brazil and Israel opened with strong performances on Day 1 of the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship which is taking place at the Sports Complex of the Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus in Phuket, Thailand.
Brazil 59 - 39 Canada
Brazil claimed the first win of the 2021 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship over Zone rivals Canada. The two teams had already met twice this year at the Americas qualifying tournament in Mexico coming away with one win a piece. It was Brazil who came out the stronger in this game pushing ahead to a 7-1 advantage, but Canada fought back to make it a 2-point game at end of the quarter, 11-9.
Brazil outscored Canada 17-6 in the second quarter to open a 13-point lead at half-time, 28-15.
They extended that to 44-25 at the end of the third, before rotating their bench in the final quarter to close out the game with a quarter score of 15-14.
Both team captains led from the front, Brazil’s Cristiano Clemente top scored with a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds, whilst Garrett Ostepchuk was Canada’s highest scorer with 14 points.
Brazil start 1-0 in Group A and will face France on Friday 8 September while Canada will face Spain.
Israel 51 – 44 Australia
Israel withstood a late rally from Australia to get their U23 World Championship campaign off to a winning start in the second game of the competition.
It was an even first quarter with both teams trading blows, 12-10, and that continued in the second quarter until Israel managed to gain a little control to take a 7-point lead in to half-time, 27-20.
It was the third quarter where Israel really took hold of the game as they took the period 12-5 to lead 39-25. They pushed out to a 19-point lead midway through the final quarter, until Australia rallied to end the game with a 14-2 run to take the fourth quarter, 19-12, but it wasn't enough as Israel ran out winners.
Israel’s Radi Dagamin top scored with 18 points, with Australia's Jaylen Brown and Thomas McHugh both making double figures - 16 points and 10 points respectively.
Both teams now have a rest day until they are back on the court on Friday 9 September.
Follow all the action from the 2021 IWBF Men's U23 World Championship
Photo Credit: Shingo ITO - X-1
