TURKEY 2014: Champions USA look to defend title against Spain in Final

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - First time finalists Spain will go up against defending champions USA for a place on the top of the FIBA World Championship for Women podium in Istanbul.

Spain made history by taking a 66-56 success against host nation Turkey, who were unable to stop the dynamic wing play of Alba Torrens who recorded a stellar 28 points.

Her contribution was complimented by a powerful 18 points and 12 rebounds from Sancho Lyttle, as Spain came back from a drought which left them trailing by seven points during the third quarter.

Turkey struggled to get any kind of productivity from their experienced guard rotation and the 36 points shared by Nevriye Yilmaz and Lara Sanders in the paint wasn't enough to get past their opponents.

Turkey will now play Australia for third place, with the Opals forcing the USA to work hard to attain an 82-70 triumph in the second Semi-Final of the day.

The result was still hanging in the balance early in the fourth quarter when Erin Phillips converted from downtown to trim the deficit to just six points at 61-55.

The USA responded well to the challenge of imposing their superiority by putting their foot on the accelerator. Led by Tina Chares, who claimed 18 points and nine rebounds, they initiated a late barrage of scoring which allowed them to ease to the win.

Meanwhile, Canada and China will compete for fifth place after collecting impressive victories against France and Serbia respectively.

China jumped out on Serbia with a blistering opening and were also excellent inside - factors which helped them to register an 85-69 success, as Shao Ting amassed an outstanding 24 points.

France were next to be rocked onto the back foot after they were left reeling from a 15-0 run by Canada during the first half, which laid the foundation for a convincing 55-40 win for Lisa Thomaidis and her team.

FIBA