Chen Yanping (L) of China shoots during the women's s third-place match between China and Germany at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
DEBRECEN, Hungary, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- China's U18 women's 3x3 basketball team achieved a historic milestone by winning the bronze medal at the 2024 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup here on Friday.
The Chinese squad of Chen Yanping, Li Yuxian, Liu Xiaohan and Wang Jiaxin defeated Germany 21-17 in the bronze medal match, marking China's best performance in the tournament since their debut in 2011.
The U18 World Cup's group stage followed a round-robin format, with each team facing off against the other four teams in their group, and the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
China, placed in Group C, secured convincing victories against Kyrgyzstan and India before losing to Japan in a decisive match for the group's top spot. Uganda, originally in Group C, withdrew from the competition.
Entering the knockout stage as the second seed from Group C, China pulled off an impressive 20-16 victory over Group A's top-seeded Ukraine, thanks to their outstanding offense.
In the semifinals, China faced the United States and fell short with a 21-8 loss. After a two-hour break, the Chinese team came back strong with Wang hitting five shots behind the arc to lead China to a 21-17 win over Germany in the bronze medal match, setting a new benchmark for the team in the tournament.
The United States dominated the tournament, winning both the men's and women's championships. Japan's women's team claimed the silver medal, while in the men's competition, Spain and France took home the silver and bronze medals, respectively. ■
Li Yuqian (R) of China vies with Johanna Huppertz of Germany during the women's s third-place match between China and Germany at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Wang Jiaxin (R) of China vies with Verena Rebekka Soltau of Germany during the women's s third-place match between China and Germany at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Wang Jiaxin (L) of China goes for a layup during the women's s third-place match between China and Germany at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Players of team China react after the women's s third-place match between China and Germany at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Wang Jiaxin (R) of China vies with Taisiia Vypovska of Ukraine during the women's quarter-final between Ukraine and China at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Liu Xiaohan (C) of China competes during the women's quarter-final between Ukraine and China at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Li Yuqian (1st L) of China attempts a lay-up during the women's quarter-final between Ukraine and China at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Liu Xiaohan (L) of China vies with Elina Syniakova of Ukraine during the women's quarter-final between Ukraine and China at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Li Yuqian (L) of China vies with Saniyah Lauren Lachelle Hall of the United States during the women's semi-final between China and the United States at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Li Yuqian (L) of China vies with Jasmine Davidson Omolade Adewumi of the United States during the women's semi-final between China and the United States at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Wang Jiaxin (L) of China vies with Saniyah Lauren Lachelle Hall of the United States during the women's semi-final between China and the United States at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary on Aug. 30, 2024. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
