Semi-Finals set as Spain move one step away from title game

TENERIFE (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - The line-up for Saturday's Semi-Finals at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup has been confirmed after a full-house celebrated Spain taking the last ticket.

 
The tournament hosts looked like they might have trouble seeing off Canada, but a stunning defensive effort in the last quarter helped them to a 53-68 triumph.

Lucas Mondelo's charges completely squeezed the life out of the reigning Americas champions, giving up just 3 points in the fourth period.

As the players turned up the heat on the court, the jubilant locals cranked up the volume up in appreciation as they got a Friday night fiesta underway. One of the main reasons for the lockdown was Queralt Casas, who handled dangerous Canadian playmaker, Kia Nurse very nicely.

"We are so happy," she declared. "We couldn't find really our way to play in the last few games, but I think today we found it and we have to keep it like that.

"I think we were so focused as a team. My role is more on defense ,so I know what I have to do when I'm on the court and there's no problem with that. On offense, we believed and we were going strong to the rim and we found our way."

Now Spain must navigate an in-form Australia if they want to make their aim of competing in the title game on home soil. They must also somehow form a strategy to lock down the towering Liz Cambage,

The 6ft 8in (2.03m) center has been the standout player of the tournament so far. She is also the runaway leader of the MVP Fan Vote. She went for 20 points as the Opals completely overwhelmed China 83-42. Cambage has also been getting high praise from team-mate and WNBA champion, Sami Whitcomb.

Reigning champions USA are still on course to defend their crown after laboring their way past Nigeria. While they were comfortable in the end at 71-40, they only dropped 27 first-half points on the African side.

The biggest story of the day was first-timers Belgium continuing their fairytale run as they rolled over neighbors France 86-65 on a memorable day for everybody involved.

It was certainly an outstanding and exhilarating display. Especially from rising star Julie Allemand, as the guard equalled the All-Time record in the competition with a dazzling 13 assists to complete a double-double after also scoring 11 points.

For more on the day's action, check out our  Blog.

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