LEON & IRAPUATO (Mexico) – Croatia secured a historic first win at the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup with a thrilling victory over Puerto Rico, 77-65. The Croatian team showed resilience and determination, overcoming an early deficit to take the lead midway through the first quarter and never looking back.
Olivia Vukosa was instrumental in propelling her team to this historic win. Her standout performance led Croatia to a landmark achievement, securing their first-ever victory on the world stage.
Her 16 defensive rebounds collected in this game are the most ever in the history of the competition.
In total, Vukosa finished with 23 rebounds, tied for second-most in the tournament’s record books. She’s also only the sixth player to grab at least 20 rebounds in a single U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup game, doing this on top of 21 points and 4 assists.
Despite trailing in the opening minutes, Croatia’s tenacity and strategic adjustments allowed them to seize control of the game. By halftime, they had established a solid lead, which they maintained throughout the second half. Puerto Rico mounted several comeback attempts, but Croatia’s defense held firm, ensuring the victory.
FIBA