The quarterfinal action took place in the 2014 FIBA World Championship For Women yesterday with Spain taking on a China team that upset Belarus 72-67 and the host Turks taking on Serbia in the upper half of the bracket. In the lower half of it Australia took on Canada while the defending FIBA champion USA got a 2012 Olympic finals rematch with France.
France came into this game with a semblance of confidence after handing Team USA their first loss in an international basketball game since 2011. France beat Team USA 76-72 in a September 21 prep game before the tournament started.
Spain beat China 71-55 to punch their ticket to today's semifinals and they will face Turkey after their narrow 62-61 win over Serbia.
Turkey had to overcome a 10 point fourth quarter deficit in order to send the home country fans home happy as they punched their ticket to the semifinals.
Australia beat Canada 63-52 to remain unbeaten in this FIBA World Championship tourney. Their reward is facing their longtime b-ball rivals Team USA, who got payback for the friendly game loss pinned on them by France.
France upset them in Paris back on September 21 as Team USA was sorting out the final spots on their FIBA championship squad and was missing Brittney Griner.
This time Team USA shattered and splattered France's pipe dream of a semifinal matchup. Team USA raced to a 29-14 first quarter lead they never relinquished thanks to 92% shooting, and sprinted to a 20 point halftime lead. The 94-72 win secured their spot in the semis against the Opals.
Brittney Griner led all USA scorers with 17 points
Once again we have a clash between unbeaten USA and Australia squads for the right to move on to the title game. Should be fun to watch.
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