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Boomers defeat Czech Republic, France defeat Team USA

The powerhouse of the basketball world have they've been sent packing as the Boomers move into the World Cup semi-finals.

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September 11, 2019 - 5:34PM
SHENZHEN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 09: Donovan Mitchell of USA in action during FIBA World Cup 2019 Group K match between USA and Brazil at Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre on September 9, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHENZHEN, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 09: Donovan Mitchell of USA in action during FIBA World Cup 2019 Group K match between USA and Brazil at Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre on September 9, 2019 in Shenzhen, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

The equation for the Boomers is simple, win and keep their hopes of claiming a medal alive. Standing in their way is the Czech Republic.

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Boomers topple Czech Republic, into semi-finals

Australia have edged closer to claiming a historic medal with a 82-70 victory against the Czech Republic.

The game was a back and forth scrappy affair in the opening half before the Boomers flexed their muscles in a dominant third quarter.

A 20-5 run to finish the third term saw the Boomers head into the final quarter holding the 15 point advantage and despite some pushes in the fourth quarter from their opponents they held on down the stretch.

Patty Mills once again led the charge for the Boomers as he dropped a game high 24 points. Andrew Bogut's impact off the bench was enormous with the big man dominating on both ends of the floor.

The incredible result means that for the first time in the history of FIBA basketball, the Boomers will finish higher in the tournament than Team USA.

The win keeps Australia's unbeaten streak alive, moving them to 6-0 at the FIBA World Cup and they'll now move into the semi-finals where they'll go up against Spain.

That game will take place on Friday night with the game getting underway at 6pm (AEST).

Boomers 63 - Czech Republic 48

Every time the Boomers looked potentially set to open the gap in the early going of the third quarter, the Czech Republic respond by burying a big shot.

Things began to turn halfway through the term however as the Boomers began to flex their muscles with thanks to Jock Landale in the paint.

Sloppy possessions plagued the Czech Republic and the Boomers took full advantage by extending the lead.

Chris Goulding caught fight from beyond the arc to end the term as he buried two huge shots from a different area code.

Boomers locked in scrappy affair

The draw is wide open after shock losses for Serbia and the USA, but Australia have found themselves in a tough quarter final battle.

Up against the Czech Republic, the two sides have battled it out in the opening half.

The Boomers were thrown off early after the Czech's swarmed them on the defensive end, but thanks to the hot hand of Patty Mills the Aussies stayed close.

Turnovers have been a constant problem for the Boomers throughout the World Cup and they've struck once again with the team racking up seven already so far in the must win match.

The Boomers found a little bit of rhythm as the second quarter wound down as they opened up a five-point margin.

But on the final play of the half the Czech Republic cut back into the lead and the teams head into the break with the Boomers holding the 35-33 advantage.

Team USA sent packing!

The biggest upset has just taken place at the FIBA World Cup with France toppling the mighty Team USA 89-79.

The stunning defeat snaps a 58-game run of wins in international tournaments with NBA players on the roster and sees them fail to capture a gold medal for the first time since the 2006 world championships.

A remarkable display from the French team has seen them sent the gold medal favourites and basketball powerhouse packing at the quarterfinal stage.

Team USA rallied in the third quarter to head into the final team holding a slender lead, but down the stretch it was all France as the powerhouse nation struggled to knock down their shots from the free throw line.

French NBA players Rudy Gobert (21 points, 16 rebounds) and Evan Fournier (22 points) led the charge for the French team who now advance into the semifinals where they'll take on Argentina who sent Serbia packing last night.

“We came here to win gold,” Gobert said. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. A lot of people counted us out, but we got the win.”

Donovan Mitchell came up big for America in the first three quarters, scoring 29 points. But he didn't trouble the scorers in the final term.

The Americans came up scoreless on six consecutive possessions down the stretch, the drought that allowed the French to take control of a back- and-forth game for the final time.

The reaction to the result was basketball fans left in a state of absolute shock.

"Incredible stuff. Great effort from France," Andrew Gaze said on commentary.

– with AP

Donovan Mitchell doing the heavy lifting

Team USA needed someone to stand tall and lift them back into the contest, enter Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell took control after Team USA fell behind by double digits in the third quarter and completely flipped the script.

Through three quarters the star guard has 29 points to his name as the gold medal favourites bounced back to head into the final term holding the 66-63 lead.

France showing Team USA how it's done

Last night it was Serbia, tonight it's Team USA who are being run off the floor.

Serbia were expected to push the United States in the gold medal game, but fell against Argentina.

Now it's Team USA who find themselves in trouble at the hands of France.

France have controlled the contest throughout and hold an eight point lead with a little over eight minutes to play in the third quarter.

Mills clips 'dufus' after Cup heroics

Patty Mills has been the Boomers saviour time and again throughout the FIBA World Cup campaign.

The electric point guard has knocked down big shot after big shot, but against France it was on the defensive end where the San Antonio Spurs guard came up clutch.

One of the biggest talking points from the last round of games however was a Brazilian fan who left Andrew Gaze speechless.

The moment quickly went viral and one NBL fan account on Facebook tried to get in on the fun with an image of a Boomers fan.

Only problem? The fan was Mills' wife, Alyssa.

Mills screenshotted the post and delivered his own clip to the 'NBL Memes' account.

Upsets, history keep Boomers on their toes

The Boomers must not forget that a Czech Republic team with the “fight of a lion” are on a historic World Cup run of their own when they meet in Wednesday’s quarter-finals.
The unbeaten Boomers (5-0) are in the midst of an unprecedented Cup charge and will enter Shanghai’s final-eight duel as heavy favourites.
A win would create history, sending Australia to a Cup semi-final – against modern rivals Spain – for the first time and edge them within one victory of a maiden major tournament medal.

The world No.11’s gutsy winning streak has stirred interest back in Australia, especially now they will avoid tournament favourites United States until the gold medal game.
But any suggestion that Wednesday’s outcome against the world No.24 is a formality would be ignoring other results, and what’s at play for a team in their first Cup as a republic.

The plucky Czech side have reached the final eight with a 3-2 record, losing to both the United States and Greece, behind new Chicago Bulls playmaker Tomas Satoransky.

But they thumped an impressive Brazil by 22 points, while Argentina’s 97-87 upset of Serbia in Tuesday’s first quarter-final shows how unpredictable FIBA basketball can be.

While unbeaten, Australia have lumbered through wins against Senegal and the Dominican Republic after more clinical defeats of Canada, Lithuania and France. It hasn’t gone unnoticed by Lemanis, who has challenged his side to stay up for the knock-out clash.
“The pattern so far has been good games then taking the foot off the gas a bit,” he said.
“It’s important we bring the same intent mentally.”
– Murray Wenzel, AAP

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/australian-boomers-vs-czech-republic-fiba-world-cup-quarterfinal/live-coverage/d3df4658f83b9986f699c00479a46b37