FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022: China beat Australia in thriller to reach gold medal game v US
- First medal for China in the women’s World Cup since 1994 following dramatic victory over the Australians in Sydney
- It sets up a rematch in the final with the Americans, after China lost to them by only 14 points earlier in the tournament
China will play the United States in the gold medal match of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after pulling off a last-gasp semi-final victory over Australia.
They beat the host nation 61-59 at Sydney Superdome on Friday night in a thrilling encounter that was not decided until the dying seconds.
The Chinese did it without their star guard Li Meng, who was ruled out, with Chinese media reporting that she was suffering with fatigue.
In her absence, Han Xu, the 6ft 10in centre, starred for China with 19 points and 11 rebounds, as well as equalling the World Cup blocks record with five.
The contest was still in the balance inside the final minute with the scores level at 59 apiece. But China worked the clock down, Huang Sijing was fouled and she sank both free throws.
It meant China advanced to Saturday’s final to play the US, who had reached their sixth gold medal match in seven editions by beating Canada 83-43.
