BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Spain posted their eighth win from as many outings here, beating Argentina 67-49 in the semifinal on Saturday, to book their maiden entry into the final of the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

The previous best finish for Spain has been the fourth-place finish they registered at Bratislava two years ago.

Spain take on twice defending champions the United States in the final – having beaten the Americans 90-86 in a Group D preliminary game on the opening day here.

Argentina play against Canada for bronze.

Spain scored the first 17 points of the game and had very little trouble after that.

The Spanish defence shut the emotionally charged Argentineans to a meager three points in the first ten minutes and that lead acted as a cushion for any minor lapses later.

Argentina posted a fight back, with a 12-0 run in the opening minutes of the second quarter, but the Spanish defence pulled up to hold off any further threat.

“I think the girls knew the importance of the occasion,” Spain’s assistant coach Esther Herrero said choking on her emotions.

“They were charged up and came out very aggressive,” she added.

Marta Tudanca who scored five points in that opening blitz by Spain, and stopped the Argentine fightback with a sizzling three-pointer, went on to lead the scoring for her team with 18 points.

Marta Xargay Casademont carried on the Spanish cause with 13 points, all of them in the second half.

Agostina Boquete led the scoring for the game with 21 points, 10 of them coming during that second quarter rally.

“Let’s not forget we play the Americans. They’ll surely remember we beat them. And it won’t be easy,” Herrero said.

“I think we lost to a better team,” Argentina coach Eduardo Pinto said.

“We’ll go all out against them (Canada) tomorrow,” he added.

FIBA