Australia silence Serbia to reach Olympic women's basketball semi-finals / Photo: Damien MEYER - AFP
-
Spanish PM begins vote campaign overshadowed by housing protests
-
Palmer signs contract to stay at Chelsea until 2034
-
Putin told Trump about Iran's position on peace deal: Kremlin
-
India detains 'cockroach' movement leaders in bid to thwart election protest
-
Verstappen wins chaotic Singapore sprint after Russell crashes
-
Proposed next EU budget cut back in search for deal
-
Kiss tells Wallabies to 'return fire' after first loss as coach
-
All Blacks learn from 'failed' Springboks series to punish Wallabies
-
Russian strikes kill 11 including 3 children: Ukrainian authorities
-
Marquez grabs MotoGP championship lead after Indonesia sprint chaos
-
Russian teenager Andreeva breezes into China Open final
-
All Blacks extend Eden Park streak with big win over Wallabies
-
Major earthquake hits Panama, injures at least 27
-
Marquez grabs MotoGP championship lead with Indonesia sprint win
-
India detains 'cockroach' leaders ahead of election protest
-
Schauffele closes in on leaders after 'weird' round in Japan
-
'No divisions, no borders', French astronaut says of seeing Earth
-
Medvedev through at Shanghai Masters in first match since disqualification
-
India's 'cockroach' movement chief detained ahead of major protest
-
Trump sows doubt on plan to livestream US military execution
-
Year later, Gaza ceasefire promises mostly unfulfilled
-
Hunger and malnutrition stalk Gazans, a year on from ceasefire
-
Taiwan's leader says increasing defence spending to 'deter war'
-
Fernandez trumps MotoGP championship duo to grab Indonesia pole
-
Major quake hits Panama, no deaths reported
-
October 7 scars push Israel's first-time voters to right
-
Hurricane Isaias makes landfall in Florida
-
India deploys police, restricts transport ahead of major protest
-
Brazil prosecutors sue Shell for $108 mn over deadly 2024 floods
-
Three Mexicans convicted in murders of Australian, US surfers
-
Major earthquake destroys buildings, roads in Panama
-
Powerful waves lash California coast as storm threatens more damage
-
Anthropic AI model sent fake murder tip to Philadelphia police
-
Trump hails Russia deal to release diesel as midterms loom
-
7.7-magnitude quake rocks Panama, triggers tsunami warning
-
Lyon blow chance to go top after loss at Lens
-
Prince Harry booed at English rugby match
-
Stocks rise as Trump says Russia to release diesel to world markets
-
Kiplimo and Feysa seek repeat Chicago Marathon wins
-
Wildfire smoke shuts schools in Amazon's biggest city
-
Fuellkrug halts Dortmund after late goal flurry
-
Turkey jails 2 journalists pending trial for fund crisis 'misinformation'
-
Injured Ravens quarterback Jackson ruled out of Falcons clash
-
Major earthquake rocks Panama, triggers tsunami warning
-
Brewers aim to take down two-time defending champion Dodgers in NLCS rematch
-
Indian jailed in France for leading sadist Nazi cult that tortured girls
-
Tsunami alert after major earthquake rocks Panama
-
'Iron Mike' Ditka hailed as 'gold standard' NFL legend
-
Outer bands of Hurricane Isaias lash US Gulf Coast
-
Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport: UAE prosecutor
Australia silence Serbia to reach Olympic women's basketball semi-finals
Alanna Smith scored 22 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to lead Australia to a convincing 85-67 victory over Serbia and into the Olympic women's basketball semi-finals on Wednesday.
The Aussies, silver medallists in 2000, 2004 and 2008, are into the semi-finals for the first time since 2012, when they earned bronze.
They will face either the United States or Nigeria on Friday for a place in the final.
The United States are chasing an unprecedented eighth straight Olympic title -- which would break a tie with the US men's basketball team for the most consecutive gold medals set from 1936-68.
Meanwhile Nigeria have already made history in Paris by becoming the first African country to reach the knock-out rounds.
USA coach Cheryl Reeve said depth of talent is the foundation of the US dynasty. That depth allowed Reeve to make wholesale substitutions to turn things around after a slow start offensively in their group win against Germany.
"The athleticism and the skill level they can bring in off the bench, I mean you're bringing Brittney Griner off the bench," German coach Lisa Thomaidis said. "I mean that's just, that's just another level.
"So yeah I mean they're the best team in the world for a reason."
Germany, in the quarter-finals in their Olympic debut, will face France for a place in the semis, the winner advancing to play either Spain or Belgium.
A day after Serbia rallied to see off Australia's Boomers in the men's quarter-finals, the Opals turned the tables in convincing fashion, building on the momentum of two straight group wins after a stuttering start to the competition.
Australia connected on 58 percent of their shots in the first half, out-scoring Serbia 22-11 in the second quarter to take control for good.
Smith added four assists, two steals and two blocks and Jade Melbourne and Cayla George scored 18 points apiece for Australia, who led 48-32 at halftime.
O.Norris--AMWN
