China ready to end 28-year wait for podium finish

SYDNEY (Australia) - It was fourth time lucky for China as they finally won a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Quarter-Finals matchup by taking down France 85-71 in an intense encounter at the Sydney SuperDome.

China had never previously won at this stage of the competition since Quarter-Finals were introduced back in 1998.

They laid that ghost of three previous Quarter-Finals losses to rest and might be about to make up for lost time when it comes to ending their wait for a medal too. It was back in 1994, here in Australia when they took silver after making the title game.

Their physical and imposing presence all over the floor was again showcased against a French team that fought impressively but were undone by the rotation, activity and strength of this China team, one that has clearly improved a lot in recent years and looks primed for success. The winner of this game showed both physical and great mental toughness, too.

China pulled away in the last five minutes to get the job done and benefited from a big three-punch from Sijing Huang, Meng Li and Xu Han.

“I try my best. At the Women’s World Cup, I try my best every game.”

- Han Xu

Winger Huang accumulated 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, with Li drilling some big shots in crunch time and claiming a team-high 23 points.

The presence of Han in the paint was also a key, making 6 of her 8 shots for 13 points and just a rebound short of a double-double. The young point guard Yuan Li (10 points, 7 assists and a +/- of +20 for her 25 minutes spent on the court) had also a decisive impact on the game.

China will now play Australia or Belgium in the Semi-Finals, while France end their participation with a 3-3 record. If Belgium do not beat Australia, it will mean that for only the third time in FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup history, there are no European teams left in the last four. France have to this point never managed to reach the final four of the flagship event of women's international basketball. But despite a lot of missing players, Jean-Aime Toupane's team has shown a lot of qualities. Gabby Williams was superb all the way in this tournament (17 points and 6 assists) and Marine Fauthoux (19 points against China) is building up experience for the future.

FIBA