While the Opals are still preparing for their world championships, the Australian women's wheelchair basketball team, the Gliders are currently in their own battle for a world championship, in Birmingham England.
But the Gliders will have to get past Paralympic Silver medallists Germany if they wish to play for Gold. The Australians take on the Germans in the Semi Finals from 11.00pm AEST tonight (Thursday July 15). The USA and Canada will battle it out in the other semi.
The teams have battled seven times this year with the Germans ahead 5-2 in the head-to-head count, including a win in the most recent encounter, 80-55, just ten days ago in Berlin.
In that game, a poor shooting percentage and slow start from the Australians cost them the match. The Gliders will need to carry on the fantastic form they have shown thus far at the Championships if they hope to defeat the Germans and advance to the Gold medal game.
The Gliders were never in any danger of losing to China after a blistering opening quarter; China hung with the Australians for the opening eight minutes, but a 9-2 run to end the quarter had the Gliders eight points in front at the first break, 17-9, and they never looked back.
Finishing the game with shooting an astounding 56 percent from the field to China’s 31, the Australians completely dominated the Chinese.
The Australians used their size to overpower China, earning 60 of their 77 points in the paint, and winning the rebound count 37-27.
Guard Kylie Gauci led the Aussies with 17 points, Cobi Crispin and 16 points and six rebounds. Five Australians scored in double figures in the game but one of the most impressive performances came from 17-year-old Amber Merritt who bagged 10 points, two rebounds and an assist in less than six minutes on court.
The Australians now look ahead to their Semi Final against Germany tonight.
You can follow the finals with a live video feed and LIVESTATS on the Tournament Website.
Quarter by quarter:
1: AUS 17 CHN 9
H: AUS 38 CHN 24 (21-15)
3: AUS 55 CHN 34 (17-10)
F: AUS 77 CHN 38 (22-4)
AUSTRALIA 77 (K Gauci 17, C Crispin 16, L Tesch 11) def
CHINA 38 (C Yang 16, H Cheng 8, Y Zhang 3)
At National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England
