Opals advance to World Cup SFs
Australia is just one win away from playing for gold at the FIBA World Cup after eliminating China overnight.
In a dominant showing, the Chemist Warehouse maintained their unblemished record at the tournament as they registered an 83-42 win to set up a semi-final showdown with Spain tomorrow morning.
The host nation advanced to the final four with a 68-53 victory over Canada, while in the opposite semi-final the USA will play Belgium.
📽 🇦🇺 @BasketballAUS dominated their #FIBAWWC Quarter-Final against #China 🇨🇳
Highlights ⤵ pic.twitter.com/B3vWl5IyJI
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 28, 2018
Having won a bronze medal in 2014, the Opals, who also clinched gold in 2006, are now within striking distance of a second World Cup after making light work of China.
JCU Townsville Fire star Tess Madgen finished with two points, three assists, two steals and a rebound in a tick over 18 minutes of action.
MVP-candidate Liz Cambage top-scored with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Bec Allen chimed in with 16 points of her own.
Should the Opals win tomorrow morning they will be guaranteed a medal, while a loss would consign them into the bronze medal play-off.
4⃣ Teams – 1 🏆!
Tune in this Saturday (September 29) for the #FIBAWWC Semi-Finals!
📱 https://t.co/jQkAiuNBWw pic.twitter.com/vx2wFFwDKO
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 28, 2018
The match will be shown live and exclusive on Fox Sports from 5am.
Click here to see full box scores between Australia and China.
World Cup schedule (all times AEST):
September 22: Australia def Nigeria 86-68
September 23: Australia def Argentina 84-43
September 25: Australia def Turkey 90-64.
September 28: Australia def China 83-42 (QF)
September 29: Australia v Spain (SF)
September 30: Medal Games
Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals:
Bec Allen, Alex Bunton, Liz Cambage, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Cayla George, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Jenna O’Hea, Alanna Smith, Steph Talbot and Sami Whitcomb.