In the recent U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, the absence of center Zhang Ziyu has been deeply felt, as the Chinese team’s overall strength noticeably declined without her presence. Having been promoted to the senior national team, Zhang’s departure left a significant void in the lineup. The Chinese team suffered a series of heavy defeats, losing four consecutive games in the group stage, including a staggering 57-122 loss to the United States.
The string of losses began with a surprising defeat to Nigeria, a team considered weaker in the competition, which shocked many fans and experts alike. This was followed by a 23-point loss to Portugal, then a crushing 63-point defeat at the hands of Canada. The physical dominance displayed by teams like the US, Portugal, and Canada, all from Europe or America, highlighted the large gap in strength, making those losses somewhat understandable. However, losing to Nigeria raised questions about the team’s struggles and whether the absence of Zhang Ziyu had such a critical impact.
Prior to the tournament, expectations for this Chinese squad were relatively high, but the harsh reality was a cumulative point deficit of 156 across four games, with losses to Canada and the US exceeding 60 points each. This stark difference underscored the visible gap between this young Chinese team and their European counterparts. Compounding their challenges, the placement round draw on July 19 matched China against the Czech Republic—a strong opponent not to be underestimated.
The Czech team entered the tournament with a balanced record of one win and one loss in the group stage, having defeated Argentina but fallen to Spain and Japan, clearly showcasing a level of competitiveness well beyond China’s current standing. Although the Czechs suffered a heavy defeat to tournament favorite France in the round of 16, they remained a formidable adversary. Both China and the Czech Republic failed to reach the quarterfinals and were in desperate need of a morale-boosting victory.
In the recent face-off, the Chinese women’s basketball team delivered a performance that surprised many, clinching a narrow 80-79 victory over the Czech squad. This crucial win marked China’s first success in the tournament and ended their previous four-game losing streak. Beyond mere statistics, this victory was a vital confidence booster for the players, serving as a psychological release from earlier setbacks. The elation was palpable, with some young players moved to tears, illustrating the immense pressure they had been under.
The match itself was a tense battle. China trailed for much of the first half and only managed to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The game even extended into overtime, where China edged out the Czech Republic by a single point. Observers noted that China’s shooting performance was subpar—making only 5 of 20 three-point attempts—yet the Czech team also struggled, which contributed to China’s narrow win.
At the start, the Czech team jumped to a 10-3 lead, forcing China to call an early timeout to prevent a repeat of their previous heavy losses. This timeout proved effective, as China responded with a 9-point run to close the gap to 10-12. The first quarter ended tied at 15-15, with both teams fiercely contesting every possession.
The second quarter saw China’s offense falter significantly, scoring just 13 points as the Czech team unleashed a 10-0 run, leading to a nine-point deficit at halftime. The Chinese squad then embarked on a challenging comeback in the second half, powered by young players Xu Peilin, Xu Fengwei, and Li Yuqian, who consistently contributed points. Despite trailing by 10 points with three minutes left in the third quarter, China narrowed the gap with a 7-0 run by the end of that period.
In the final moments, China pushed the score difference down to three points. Zhao Lin opened the fourth quarter scoring, followed by Xu Peilin’s basket that gave China the lead. The game then entered a tense back-and-forth phase. In the last 14 seconds, the Czech team missed a crucial three-pointer and failed two key free throws. With just seven seconds remaining, young player Ran Kejia displayed remarkable composure, scoring a contested basket plus a free throw. This decisive play, coupled with Czech mistakes, forced overtime at 66-66.
During overtime, China surged ahead with a 10-3 run, energized by Li Yuqian’s impressive three-pointer. Although the Czech team fought back to close the gap to one point, China held on until the final buzzer, securing a one-point victory and breaking their losing streak.
Ran Kejia emerged as the standout performer, her clutch scoring and aggressive play earning her the team’s highest points, rebounds, and assists. Across the tournament, she has frequently led the team’s scoring, drawing comparisons to former star Li Meng. If nurtured properly, Ran has the potential to match or even surpass Li Meng’s impact and could soon earn a place in the senior national team coached by Gong Luming.
Li Yuqian also played a pivotal role in the win, with her critical three-pointer serving as a game-changer. The entire team fought tenaciously to close the scoring gap, demonstrating a shared determination to secure the win.
Nevertheless, the absence of Zhang Ziyu remains a glaring issue, especially regarding interior defense and presence. Without her anchoring the paint, the Chinese team’s perimeter players face immense pressure and vulnerability, essentially leaving them exposed. This U19 squad must adapt to this challenge or face continued struggles in upcoming matches.
The early string of defeats has drawn criticism and pressure on head coach Wang Guizhi, making this hard-fought victory essential to restoring faith in the team. The young players needed this win to prove their resilience and potential, which they have now accomplished, explaining the emotional release seen among them after the game.
Looking ahead, China will compete in the 9th to 12th place classification round, where they are scheduled to face Israel. The momentum from their triumph over the Czech Republic should bolster their confidence. Maintaining the tactical discipline and exploiting opponents’ weaknesses, China stands a chance to advance.
Without a dominant center like Zhang Ziyu, the team may need to emulate Japan’s “small and fast” playing style to counter the physical disadvantage against taller European teams. Despite the size gap, a nimble, quick-paced approach could open new pathways to victory. Additionally, players must focus on off-court training to improve endurance and speed, as mobility will be crucial on the court.
This victory reaffirms the unwavering fighting spirit of the Chinese women’s basketball team, a trait that remains a source of pride and inspiration for all who support Chinese basketball.
