Party time in Belgrade as Serbia and Korea claim Sydney spots on dramatic day

BELGRADE (Serbia) - Celebrations are underway in Belgrade after local favorites Serbia confirmed a place at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022, with their win also taking Korea to Sydney as well.

Pumped up by a special pre-game presentation to Serbian legends Sonja Vasic and Jelena Brooks for their service to the sport and National Team, a noisy and expectant local crowd had plenty to cheer on a memorable night.

In a terrific advert for the competition, a fourth quarter surge carried Serbia to a pulsating 78-71 Group B victory against Australia. During many periods of the game it looked like disappointment might be in store and especially when trailing 62-57 in the last period.

 However, 13 unanswered points switched the momentum in their favor and with playmaker Yvonne Anderson amassing 30 points, they had a difference-maker and a game-winner.

The Opals will be disappointed to have not showed more down the stretch, allowing Serbia to wrestle control away from them, while they also had Steph Talbot being ejected earlier in the game for throwing an elbow. Bec Allen was at least one big positive as she continued her rich vein of form with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

Korea will be in Sydney too!

There were no more interested observers in the matchup than Korea and Brazil, who were wanting very different results having played earlier. Korea knew that a Serbia win would see them book their place for Sydney, while Brazil were craving for an Opals victory to keep their hopes alive heading into Sunday.

Korea can now celebrate the prospect of stepping out at the flagship event having squeezed out Brazil 76-74 in a game that will live in the memory for a long time. Ji Su Park could not have done more in pursuit of team glory. Her breathtaking triple-double paved the way for the win as she landed a spectacular and very rare 11 blocks to go with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Credit also had to go to Korea head coach Sunmin Jung who kept her in the game at a crucial time, even though she was in foul trouble. The decision paid major dividends, with 21 points from Leeseul Kang also vital. 

Defeat was tough on Brazil who had trailed by 11 points, prior to a renaissance when a change of defense and to a smaller lineup hauled them back into contention. The ongoing emergence of Kamilla Da Silva was particualrly encouraging as she had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

FIBA