Spain reaches World Cup semi-final as Australia loses second captain

Spain's women's national basketball team secured a commanding 89:66 quarter-final win over Australia in Berlin at the Women's Basketball World Cup, booking a semi-final spot for the first time in eight years.

Australia entered the match already depleted. A day earlier, against Italy, the team had only nine available players, and on quarter-final day it emerged that center Ezi Magbegor had torn her knee's anterior cruciate ligament. The squad was also missing injured Alanna Smith and ill Jade Melbourne. It marked the second time in two weeks that Australia lost a captain, after Sami Whitcomb withdrew from the tournament in late August.

Spain capitalized on Australia's troubles, dominating offensively in the first half to lead 58:37 after 20 minutes. The pace slowed somewhat in the second half, but Spain maintained control to secure the victory.

Meganne DiLeo led Spain's scoring with 16 points in 16 minutes, followed by Iyana Martin with 13 and Maria Conde with 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals. For Australia, Alex Wilson and Chloe Bibby each scored 13 points.

Spain will face the United States in the semi-final on Saturday, September 12. The other semi-final pairs France against Germany. Four years ago in Sydney, no European team reached the semi-finals, but this time Spain, France and Germany all advanced from the Berlin tournament.