Basketball: Greece and US square off in final

European champions Greece face the unbeaten United States in a high-powered men's under-19 world championship final in Auckland today.

In two contrasting semifinals last night, Greece outclassed Australia 84-69, while the US squeezed out a tight 81-77 defeat of Croatia. The US will nevertheless start favourites at the North Shore Events Centre, having gone through the 16-team tournament unbeaten.

Their athleticism and ball movement was on a different level in the first half last night, leading by nine after eight minutes and 46-33 at halftime.

The tall Croatians improved their defence considerably after the break and led by Mario Delas and Dino Butorac, they hit the front late in the third stanza, which they won 26-11. However, the US fought back during an intense final quarter to reclaim the lead for the final whistle.

- NZPA