Iran triumphs over HK in opening match of FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup 2024

Video by Liu Xudong

The stage was set in Shenzhen yesterday for the much-anticipated start of the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2024, a basketball extravaganza that has captivated fans around the world.

The battleground was the electrifying Futian Sports Park, where China’s Hong Kong and Iran battled it out in a match that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The match culminated in a valiant effort from the Hong Kong team, but they were ultimately beaten 52-65 by Iran.

Organized by the prestigious International Basketball Federation (FIBA), this thrilling event for the world’s best female basketball talents under the age of 18 has captured the attention of basketball fans around the globe.

With the tournament in full swing until June 30, the up-and-coming athletes from Group A (including Australia, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Malaysia, China, Japan, New Zealand and Indonesia) and Group B (including Samoa, Lebanon, Syria, Maldives, the Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and China’s Hong Kong) are battling it out for supremacy.

Across two arenas, the Longhua Culture and Sports Center and the vibrant Futian Sports Park, teams are fiercely contesting in elimination matches. The top four teams emerging victorious will clinch coveted tickets to the prestigious FIBA U19 World Cup set for next year.

Shenzhen Daily reporter Liu Xudong captures the exciting moments of the game.