LIEPAJA (FIBA U19 World Championship) - Respective results against big guns Lithuania could not have been more different, but that counted for nothing when Croatia and Korea came face to face in Liepaja on Staurday.

Korea, always relying on a potent combination of fast-break play and long-range shooting, can really test top teams, as Canada found out on Day 1. When their three-point shooting is inch perfect, they will make you pay for your mistakes.

Already through to the Eighth Final round, Croatia rested their big three of Saric, Katic and Ramljak, a gamble that might prove to hurt Croatia, with points from the first round being carried through to the two-group Eighth Final round.

A tight first quarter ended with a two point lead for Croatia, but a fantastic Korean 13 point run at the end of the second opened up a 10 point lead that would ultimately win them the game.

Croatia, short of the three who stunned Lithuania, seemed to lack the aggressive play they had shown on Days 1 and 2 until the final five minutes, leaving themselves with too much to do.

Kim Hyeongjun and Kim Manjong scored the bulk of the point for Korea with 19 each. Boris Barac finished top scorer with 21.

The final score of 75-71 could end up hurting Croatia, having failed to capitalise on a win that they would have carried through to the next round and opponents Egypt, Serbia and USA awaiting them in a newly formed group F, alongside round one opponents Lithuania and Canada.

For Korea it is a well earned win that will allow them to bring some confidence into their classification round repeat of last year's Asian U18 final.

FIBA