Summary
It was a narrative of redemption for a Boomers side at it’s first ever World Cup semi-final - looking to become the first Asian men’s side into a World Cup final, and looking to overcome the team that so narrowly denied them a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
But as hard as Australia fought - they led for the vast majority of the game - the Spanish simply refused to let go. Brilliance from Gasol and some shrewd tactical adjustments from coach Scariola the difference at the death as the World No 2 side ran over Australia in double overtime.
Incredible effort and tenacity from a team that has won so many admirers en route to the semis. The Boomers had never previously won four straight games at a World Cup - this time they won six - and were a solitary free throw away from a seventh, and a guaranteed World Cup medal. What a cruel game.
They will pick themselves up for the consolation of a third-place play off. But it’s Spain who march on - and will take on either France or Argentina (who play later tonight) in the gold-medal game.
An absolute classic. An epic. A heartbreaker for Australia. That’s World Cup basketball.
I’ve just had a look at the full-time (well, double over-time) stats: Marc. Gasol. He had something like four - all from the stripe, and none from open play at half time - he’s finished with 33 points. Incredible.
Patty Mills with a game-high 34 points, Nic Kay with 16 pts and 11 rebounds, Bogut with 12 pts and nine rebounds but not too much else offensively.
For Spain it was the Gasol-show. It needed to be after Rubio went cold from 3pt range with 1/8. He still finished with 19, the Phoenix Suns star, while Llull came up with some high-pressure bombs to keep them close all game - he finished with 17 pts.
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I’m not sure if I can even find the words at this stage to sum all of that up.
Thankfully I don’t have to - here’s a match report from our very own Guardian sport desk:
Can you believe that.
The Boomers threw absolutely everything at that. And cast your mind back to regulation time when it was Patty Mills who had the chance from the stripe to win it with 4.7 seconds to go.
Cruel on a player who has been sensational for Australia across this tournament - a potential tournament MVP but you’d imagine that will go elsewhere now.
Full-time: Spain 95-88 Australia
Ay, ay, ay! What a tense and tumultuous game of basketball!
When it mattered most it was the European powerhouses who stepped up a gear. Marc Gasol. What a player.
And Australia’s winning run is over - Spain go through to the gold-medal game of the 2019 Basketball World Cup!
Second over-time 4 min: Spain 95-88 Australia
Rubio misses two from the free throws - and the Mills pulls down a three! Surely not from here! We’re back to five points.
But who else? It’s Marc Gasol - he lands two. He’s been the difference. And the Spanish bench goes up once again!
Second over-time 4 min: Spain 93-85 Australia
Gasol blocks Goulding. What a contribution by this man - he had a quiet first half but he’s been unequivocally best on court since then. What a player - what a big-time player.
Second over-time 3 min: Spain 93-85 Australia
Long faces on the Australian bench as Mills loses it at the dribble. 20+ turnovers but 19 offensive rebounds. It’s been such a mixed night from Australia.
Claver goes to the stripe. He lands the first, misses the second.
But Baynes turns it over! Spain to play this out, run down the clock.
Second over-time 3 min: Spain 92-85 Australia
In theory there’s enough time for Australia, but well..
Baynes looks for a three - and he’s landed it!!
Creek called for a foul on Rubio - what a let down after that 3!
Rubio takes the first. And the second.
Second over-time 3 min: Spain 90-82 Australia
Oh my, oh my - Spain pull down another monster three - they’re out by eight and they’re celebrating in the stands the Spaniards!!
Is this the ball game?? Lemanis calls a time out.
Second over-time 2 min: Spain 87-82 Australia
Gasol - from close range. Unstoppable! Great feed from Rubio. Their experienced heads have been getting it done.
Goulding into the Australian five for more three-point heat, but he can’t land one. Rubio settles it down. Goulding fires from three again but gets nothing near it!
Second over-time 1 min: Spain 85-82 Australia
Patty drives to the bucket - it misses, but Bogut tips in! Spain go up the other end, it’s Victor Claver with a great shot. Australia go close, but they can’t land - and Llull has a look from outside the arc.. and lands it! Huuuge.
Over-time - Spain 80-80 Australia
Gasol hits the first throw. And then the second! What absolute nerves of steel! Of ice! Of icy steel! Is that even a thing!
Australia play with 4.6 - Delly tries from range, but it misses - we’re off to double over-time!!
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Over-time 4 min: Spain 78-80 Australia
Bogut. Creek. Dellavedova. Ingles. Creek. That’s the five on the floor for Australia.
Spain feed it in, they look for Gasol - and he’s fouled by Dellavedova! He goes to the line for two - with 4.6 left on the shot clock.
Big pressure on the big man.
Over-time 4 min: Spain 78-80 Australia
A double team on Mills, and Gasol is pinged for a foul on Patty. He’ll go to the free throws, but it will mean Spain get last look basketball in hand perhaps.
Huge free throws. Mills hits the first. And he hits the second!
Time out called by Spain. They trail by two, 14.2 seconds to play. What can they conjure the European powerhouses.
Over-time 4 min: Spain 78-78 Australia
Kay with a rebound, but they can’t get a shot away, Australia. Deary, deary me - it’s another turnover: the Boomers’ 20th of the game.
Spain miss their shot - it’s so hard to get points out there. Ingles tries the three - no dice. And a foot violation! Gasol kicks the ball away and we’ve got 16.3 seconds and Australia with 14 seconds on the shot clock! Lemanis calls a time out.
Can they work this set play better?
Over-time 3 min: Spain 78-78 Australia
Llull runs into shot-clock trouble, and throws a three he didn’t fancy - and misses. But having done the hard work, Australia turn it over on offence! Spain attack again and it’s an offensive foul from Rubio on Mills!
Over-time 3 min: Spain 78-78 Australia
Claver is found by Rubio. Basket. Blocking foul from Spain on Ingles. They need him offensively, Australia - the hands are well and truly cold tonight. He goes to the stripe. Hits the first. Hits the second.
Over-time 3 min: Spain 76-76 Australia
Oh my! It’s Marc Gasol - and he’s bombed a huge one from three!
Australia go up the other end: boom!! It’s Patty Mills from three. And Nick Kay with another offensive rebound. How big has he been tonight - what a time to play your game of the tournament. And we’re level again!
Over-time 1 min: Spain 73-71 Australia
And we’re back. How’s this game. Spain start with it - and it’s an offensive foul on the first play!! Big error from Claver.
Joe Ingles drives at the basket, but he’s turned it over. He’s shying away from the shot, and the pass doesn’t land. Finally points and who else - it’s Marc Gasol. He’s the one man out there it seems who can’t miss.
End of regulations time: Spain 71-71 Australia
Rubio argues the toss. Mills hits the first one. Scores locked! But he misses the second one!!
Rubio throws a hail mary from down town - it rolls agonisingly round the rim, but doesn’t drop! We’re going to over-time!!
Can you believe this. We’ve got five minutes more.
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Fourth quarter 9 min - Spain 71-70 Australia
A high pressure time out and discussion. There’s a bit of confusion, but it’s Bogut and Ingles expected to run the play.
We’re back on court. Mills feeds in - he charges to the basket and he’s drawn the foul! Claver the infringer, Mills with two free throws! Match clock still at 4.7 seconds though.
Fourth quarter 9 min - Spain 71-70 Australia
Gasol lands the free throw to tie it. And then to take the lead! Can you believe this - they’re back in front, Spain.
Andrej Lemanis calls a time out. Australia have 8.7 seconds to execute this set play perfectly and win this game.
This is epic.
Fourth quarter 9 min - Spain 69-70 Australia
Llull with an unlikely attempt, it looked ugly - but Bogut is called for a foul on Gasol under the bucket!! Huge call - Spain go to the stripe with 8.7 seconds on the clock.
Gasol with two free throws - and then the Boomers have one play left. High drama!
Fourth quarter 9 min - Spain 69-70 Australia
Llull with a huge three point play but doesn’t land it. Delly fires from three - he also misses. Before Kay gets an offensive rebound! Then Mills loses the ball into touch - was their a foul?? It’s not paid!
Oh my - 28 seconds to play. Spain call the time out and look to run the set play. They’ve got this, haven’t they.
They’ve trailed for most of the game, the World No 2 team - but they’re coming home strong. I can’t watch.
Fourth quarter 9 min - Spain 69-70 Australia
Kay with an open basket, but he can’t land it!! No, no, no. 70 seconds left and it’s Spain with the ball. Bogut comes in for a minute to play. They need old heads out there.
Fourth quarter 8 min - Spain 69-70 Australia
Ach. It’s gone scrappy at the wrong time for the Boomers - Rubio is back in the game, and he’s drawn an offensive foul from Baynes! Gasol goes up and scores. We’ve a one-point game with 90 seconds!
Fourth quarter 8 min - Spain 67-70 Australia
He lands the first, the second, and the third! Gasol thinks about a three before taking on Baynes, but there’s no foul and the Spaniard loses the ball into touch! Big defensive play!
Offensively it’s another turnover from the Boomers - these are creeping back in - and Rubio drives for two.
Fourth quarter 6 min - Spain 65-67 Australia
Delly with a spin shot - it’s a bad possession and that never looked like landing. Gasol on Ingles - one referee calls offensive foul, the other defensive! They discuss - and it goes against Gasol. Mills pulls up for three, it just tickles wide, but he’s fouled and goes to the line for three free throws!
Fourth quarter 6 min - Spain 65-67 Australia
A crucial basket to Spain and Andrej Lemanis calls a time out.
This. Is.On. The Spaniards have been below form from the field, but they’re coming here. What a nervous final 3-4 minutes: it’s a Basketball World Cup semi-final, ladies and gentlemen.
Fourth quarter 6 min - Spain 63-67 Australia
Mills on the cut from an Ingles feed. A settler. Rubio misses from three range, turnover from Australia before Ingles fouls. Gasol with a tough drive on Creek - he’s come alive late on, the big 5. Creek misses at the other end, but it’s Kay with an offensive rebound and score! But at the other end it’s Ribas with another big three!
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Fourth quarter 4 min - Spain 58-63 Australia
Gasol with a tough bucket, they didn’t have much on that play but the star lands a key one. Bogut goes the other end and he’s hit 10 points. Huge contribution, as he did in the quarter finals.
Battle of the big men, as Gasol lands from outside the arc! HUGE. This is getting tight.
Fourth quarter 3 min - Spain 53-61 Australia
Spain are short a defender and Kay heads to the basket - he lands it, and Spain call a time out! A great start to the final quarter for Australia, but there’s still SO much to run in this one. A 6-2 mini run for the Boomers though.
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Fourth quarter 2 min - Spain 53-59 Australia
Llull looks for three of the screen, but it doesn’t fall. Bogut grabs a sixth rebound. Mills inside for Landale but he can’t get over Gasol. A desperate full stretch lunge from Dellavedova to retain possession - great hustle! And it’s Bogut with an alley-oop - yeah, tha bois!
Fourth quarter 1 min - Spain 53-57 Australia
Mills to the basket and it’s tipped in by Bogut - a necessary start to the final quarter. Rubio goes to the line and hits 2/2, to go 15 points for the game. Landale looks from three but misses it, a great feed from Dellavedova. He looks from closer range but misses that. Spain are screaming for an ‘unsportsmanlike foul’ on Rubio who clutches at his throat. It’s not given.
Three quarter time: Spain 51-55 Australia
Rubio with a pull up shot for two, and Mills charges down the other end with time ticking away, but he’s called for an offensive foul!
It’s a see-sawing third quarter, on points you’d call it Spain’s way, and more importantly they go into the break with the momentum! Australia’s third-quarter curse strikes again - but they’re still ahead, marginally.
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Third quarter 9 min - Spain 49-55 Australia
Ribas with a stop and prop for two after Kay slams down up one end. Baynes looks for a three but can’t land it. Rubio drives straight down the guts but it’s a huge block from Baynes! And Rubio screams at the ref - but he’s wrong. Baynes blocked before the ball hit the backboard. Tech foul, Mills hits the one-pointer from the stripe.
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Third quarter 8 min - Spain 47-52 Australia
Goulding leaves the three-attempt short and Nick Kay claims the offensive rebound and is fouled. Nothing but net, 2/2. Ingles collides heavily with Rubio who replies with 2/2 of his own. Goulding dribbles with the ball off the Baynes screen but he loses the ball.
Then at the other end it falls kindly and open to a man on the arc, it’s Llull and he hits it clean! Huge moment - Dellavedova is screaming for a foul, it looked one, but wasn’t paid, and Spain haul down a big play.
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Third quarter 7 min - Spain 42-50 Australia
A very soft offensive third foul on Bogut - Australia don’t need that. The big man will have to be careful, they can’t afford him fouled out as per earlier in the tournament. A time out called by Australia - a set play opportunity for the Boomers and a nice settler perhaps. He’s been so shrewd and calm all tournament, Andrej Lemanis - a real underappreciated factor in this incredible 6-0 Boomers World Cup run.
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Third quarter 7 min - Spain 42-50 Australia
Llull tries to drive and is fouled en route to the basket, a second foul for Bogut. Llull hits 1/2 from the stripe. Mills tries the pull up from three and the rebound just evades Bogut. Mills tries again from a long long way outside the arc - no dice. Gasol slams one down, they needed that, Spain.
Third quarter 5 min - Spain 39-50 Australia
Kay is sent to the basket by Mills and it’s a huge block from Gasol! Baynes tries from three but is well off, before Spain miss again from the field. They’re just not dropping tonight for the World No 2 side! Rubio, on cue, misses again. Goulding with an assist for Kay - good patience and it’s a Spanish time out as Australia go to a game-high 11-point lead!
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Third quarter 4 min - Spain 39-46 Australia
Mills looks to fire from top of the arc, he misses but is fouled and will go to the line for three! A miss first up to whistles inside the arena and a miss third - a tense 1/3 from Mills. Gasol with a foul on Ingles - a big swipe from the big man.
Third quarter 3 min - Spain 39-45 Australia
If one big man can do it, so can the other: Aron Baynes finally on the board as he lands from three! Big play, and they’re back out to six. Mills goes coast to coast and rolls off the glass. Claver tips in after a miss from three range from Hernandez. Heavy fall, and the Spaniard is not happy - he wants a foul.
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Second half!
Third quarter 1 min - Spain 37-40 Australia
Spain miss from the field with the first effort before who else - Mills from the pocket with three! Gasol lands this time before Patty misses with the next three, before the big man - Gasol lands a three! Ominous signs for Australia.
Your thoughts on that first half?
Australia shooting at 63% to 41% inside the arc, with the green & gold also edging the rebounds column 21-19. 10 assists so far for the Boomers and while they’ve coughed up 7-5 turnovers, compared to earlier games that’s not too bad (hitting between 10-15 turnovers during some first halves earlier in the tournament).
Eight different point scorers for Australia with only Aron Baynes missing out so far - Mills the points leader with 11. For Spain it’s Rubio with nine and Juan Hernangomez with eight, but the latter is on three personal fouls. Could be something to target in the second half.
Half-time: Spain 32-37 Australia
Kay with a miss, before Delly fouls the big man Gasol. Big mismatch there, and a second personal for MD. The Spaniard hits 2/2 from the free throws. Mills misses a shot and Spain try the half-court hail mary on the buzzer. Not this time.
It’s a strong second quarter from Australia.
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Second quarter 9 min - Spain 30-37 Australia
Hello! It’s a three from Mills from the corner - more of that, please. Claver and Dellavedova come together off the ball - some aggro out there (and no surprise to see Delly in the middle of it perhaps).
Second quarter 8 min - Spain 28-34 Australia
Kay tips in off a terrific Delly pass. Rubio look at three, but misses. Ingles comes in on the drive, but pulls the shot short. Some nerves out there as Gasol misses a pass, before Dellavedova is called for an offensive foul, whilst being double teamed! Big dispute, he had his arm pinned, but the refs miss it.
Second quarter 7 min - Spain 28-32 Australia
Almost a steal from Spain before the shot clock forces Dellavedova to improvise and he pulls up short. Claver earns a foul from Baynes, which the big man disputes. Claver hits both free throws.
Australia 4/13 from the three, 9/13 inside the arc.
Second quarter 6 min - Spain 26-32 Australia
Spain look for three - but miss again. Before Hernangomez is called for an offensive foul on Mills! Great D. Some frustration from Spain. A third personal for Hernangomez, Spain’s leading rebounder! Rubio grabs another two. Lemanis calls a time out.
Second quarter 5 min - Spain 24-32 Australia
Four minutes without a bucket, Spain - what can they run from the set play? Rubio charges but it’s a big block from Joe Ingles! Ball dead, but it’s a Spanish ball. Finally Spain finish. And at the other end it’s Landale with three! Then Creek recovers an offensive rebound for two. Wow.
Second quarter 4 min - Spain 22-27 Australia
Creek called for a foul on Gasol. A close up of Kobe Bryant in the crowd, and the Chinese home fans squeal in delight. Mills with two off the pick and roll, and that’s the first time we’ve had a five-point difference all game, and the Spanish coach Sergio Scariola has seen enough. Time out.
Second quarter 3 min - Spain 22-23 Australia
Another miss from the field from Spain, Mills fires a three but it doesn’t land. Now he leads with a charge, but it doesn’t fall either - big defence from the Spanish tall timber. Yikes - nobody can land a point here. And Lemanis calls for a timeout.
Second quarter 2 min - Spain 22-23 Australia
Kay and Creek into the five, and it’s a great feed from Delly to find the former. Ingles screams for a foul, but it’s not forthcoming. Both sides miss good chances at each end, before great work from Creek forces the Spanish into touch. Big turnover - defences on top at this stage.
Quarter-time: Spain 22-21 Australia
A wild play from Australia with 5 seconds to run - as the Boomers miss the pass! With just over 3 seconds on the shot clock Spain throw the hail mary - and land a remarkable long-range bomb from Sergio Llull! What a key little moment - it’s a five-point turnaround to send Spain in just in front.
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First quarter 9 min - Spain 19-21 Australia
Ribas with two from the jump shot, they were almost in shot clock trouble there, Spain. Delly from three - and he pulls it down! Another two from Spain, it rolls agonisingly around the rim, but drops, before Bogut shows soft hands to rolls a short one.
First quarter 8 min - Spain 15-16 Australia
Bogut with an unlikely look from three - just his second attempt from that range all tournament and in fairness, it doesn’t look great. Australia recover and Goulding pulls the trigger from three: also a miss! Spain miss from three - both teams are chasing the long rangers, and both are running hot and cold. Goulding goes to the line for free throws - 2/2.
First quarter 7 min - Spain 15-14 Australia
The big man Gasol goes to the stripe for the first free throws of the game. Two from two. Not bad for a 7 ft 1-er. And Australia’s biggest Bogut goes up the other end and grabs two, before Nick Kay gets an important rebound.
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First quarter 5 min - Spain 11-12 Australia
Hernangomez drops a three, Goulding comes into the game and replies straight away! Turnover from Spain, Delly gets a look at a three.. and he likes it. It’s happening outside the arc from both teams.
First quarter 4 min - Spain 8-6 Australia
A rare complete airball from Rubio - he’s really looking lively and looking to get ball in hand for Spain, and Andrej Lemanis has a chance to talk to his troops as the refereeing team examines the review system to check the shot clock. It takes a while - VAR anyone?
First quarter 3 min - Spain 8-4 Australia
Mills with the pull-up jump shot and it’s nothing but net! He’s averaging 22 a game, Australia need him on that form or better. Rubio misses at one end, before Spain’s defence forces a ball loose from Ingles. Both teams trade three-shots, but both miss, before Juan Hernangomez pulls one down outside the arc.
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First Tip
First quarter 1 min - Spain 5-2 Australia
Spain get us underway and it’s the lethal Ricky Rubio who lands the first three of the game. He comes up big at the other end the prevent an opening score from the Boomers before Joe Ingles eventually gets Australia going off the boards.
Where will it won and lost?
Australia have been far too free with turnovers - they’ll need to cut those out of their game. And the hot-hands of Mills, Dellavedova and Goulding will need to continue, while not getting big men like Bogut or Baynes in foul trouble early.
Ingles was down by his impeccable standards against the Czechs - hopefully he can step up and feed play with his remarkable run of assists this tournament - they’re the second best nation in that stat.
The players are out on the courts going through some last-minute warm ups before first tip, as we gather for the national anthems.
So - to Spain, this massive powerhouse of world basketball - the last team apart from the US to taste World Cup gold.
Men to watch: NBA star Ricky Rubio is averaging 15pts a game and five assists, Marc Gasol has chimed in with 11pts and five rebounds - but in truth there’s not a poor player across this sublime Spanish roster.
Your predictions ahead of this one?
What’s really dazzled for the Boomers is the depth of their performance. Despite missing NBA stars like Ben Simmons, Jonah Bolden or Dante Exum through injury or non-availability, to a man the 12 that are fighting for the green & gold have stood tall. In one game it’s the wily veteran Dellavedova, in another it’s hot-hands Joe Ingles. The man-mountain Aron Baynes has been superb defensively (and not too shabby with the threes either), and his understudy Andrew Bogut saved his best for a ten-minute spell to blow open the Czechs in the quarters. Chris Goulding has shot well, Jock Landale has come up big at times - but above it all - Patty Mills has been imperious. Pure ice in the veins when it’s mattered most.
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It’s been an incredible tournament thus far from the Boomers, and unlike some of the other pools, there’s been absolutely no easy games.
The clever Canadians 108-92, a bruising clash with Senegal 81-68, and the passionate Baltic powerhouses (and World No 6) Lithuania 87-82 just for the group.
Germany-slayers Dominican Republic 82-76, and then the big one - a pulsating 100-98 win over France courtesy a stunning steal from Patty Mills with the campaign looking 4.4 seconds away from a showdown with the US. Then of course the 82-70 win over a tough Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
It’s been a hell of a tournament - the first time the Boomers have won 6-0 to start a campaign, but it’s all on the wire today against Spain.
Hola! Hi all, a pleasant welcome to you and yours from wherever around the globe you’re following our coverage today.
Not sure about you, but I’m absolutely buzzing about this today. What a landmark game in Australian basketball - a match Shane Heal has called the biggest ever in the nation’s history (at least in the men’s game).
If the Fiba WC has flown under your radar lately you can more than make amends by following along here. Or if you’ve been bursting at the seams with all your pent up basketball fun facts at stats we want to hear from you! Fire me an email or tweet to join the conversation.
Preamble
After a scintillating tournament in which the Boomers have delivered near unerringly high-quality basketball, today comes their toughest challenge yet.
After the shock elimination of the USA - the winners of the past five World Cups and Olympics - suddenly this is the most open Basketball World Cup in recent history. Australia have never finished in the top three at either a senior men’s World Cup or Olympics - in fact this is the first time they’ve made it to the final four at a senior men’s World Cup.
Standing in their way is Spain. The World No 2 side - and literal titans with six players over 2m tall. The nemesis from the Rio Games and the controversial last seconds bronze-medal loss.
After a bruising and exhausting tournament the Boomers will need to be at their best if they’re to book a first ever World Cup final berth. Follow it all - here.
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