The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 tipped off on August 31st in China. The global basketball competition includes a record 32 participating countries, who qualified during tournaments over the past two years.
Team USA, the runaway favourites to win the FIBA World Cup for a third time in succession, were bundled out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by France. The result ended a 58-game win streak for the US at the Olympics and World Cups.
France pulled off their 89-79 victory after overhauling a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter. France had never beaten the US in nine previous meetings in major international competition.
Australia moved into the World Cup semifinals with an 82 -70 victory over the Czech Republic on Wednesday night. Australia will meet Spain in the semifinals on Friday 13th September.
France and Argentina will play in the other semifinal on Friday (13th September). France ousted the two-time defending World Cup champion U.S. 89-79 in another quarterfinal earlier Wednesday.
The World Champions will emerge from the final game on Sunday 15th September.
www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2019
