Commonwealth Games 2018: Bolters Canada stand between Australian Boomers and gold medal

BOOMERS guard Damian Martin says Australia’s date with basketball destiny has arrived after Australia stormed into the gold medal game against surprise opponents Canada.

BOOMERS guard Damian Martin says Australia’s date with basketball destiny has arrived.

Australia stormed into Sunday’s men’s gold medal game against surprise opponents Canada after mercilessly putting Scotland to the sword with a 103-46 shellacking in Saturday’s semi-final.

Canada qualified for the final with a buzzer beater from Mamadou Gueye breaking Tall Black hearts and claiming an incredible 88-86 upset victory in the other semi-final.

New Zealand trailed by 21 points in the third term but mounted a stunning comeback to hit the lead in the final minute.

Jesse Wagstaff drives to the basket during the Boomers' romp. Picture: Getty Images

However, Gueye’s long-range prayer as time expired sent the shattered Tall Blacks packing to the bronze medal match-up against the Scots and sparked wild scenes at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.

The grim reality for Canada is that things will be much tougher in the final.

The result makes Australia’s path to gold easier given the Boomers defeated Canada by 40 points in the pool games while they were forced to work hard to beat New Zealand by six points.

Mamadou Gueye (7) and Canada go crazy. Picture: Getty Images

The Boomers warmed up for the final with a clinical disposal of basketball’s Bravehearts to emphatically end the fairytale run of the Rob Beveridge-coached Scots, who were lowest-ranked side heading into the tournament.

“The goal was always gold and we are a step closer,’’ Martin said.

“Andrej (Lemanis, Boomers coach) has done a great job making sure we all know our role in the team. We are playing unselfish basketball, playing hard.

“It’s a fun style to be a part of. We are feeling pretty good right now.

Damian Martin (left) and Cameron Gliddon after the win. Picture: Getty Images

“It was great for us to be able to get out there and be able to use all 12 players a day before the grand final.”

Martin — a Rio Olympian — is a four-time NBL title winner with Perth and has claimed a record six NBL Defensive Player of the Year gongs.

He said being part of a gold medal-winning team would rank as a career highlight.

“It would be amazing if I could finish off with a Comm Games gold medal. Basketball isn’t always a part of the Commonwealth Games so it would be up there with anything else I’ve been fortunate enough to do in basketball,’’ Martin said.

“If I could walk off the court with a gold medal. It would be a dream come true.’’

Originally published as Commonwealth Games 2018: Bolters Canada stand between Australian Boomers and gold medal