Spain beat Germany to claim women's World Cup bronze / Photo: Odd ANDERSEN - AFP
Spain beat Germany to claim women's World Cup bronze
Spain have soothed the disappointment of their narrow semi-final loss to the United States by claiming bronze at the women's basketball World Cup with a 81-58 win over Germany in Berlin on Sunday.
The Spanish went close to a major boilover on Saturday, pushing the heavily favoured Americans all the way in their semi-final, levelling the scores at 58-all at three-quarter time before the US pulled away.
On Sunday, Spain were in control throughout against the spirited but limited hosts, who had never reached the final four of the tournament as a unified country.
Top-scorer Iyana Martin was one assist away from a double-double, with 20 points while grabbing a game-best nine dimes.
The Germans fought back to trail by just four at half-time, but Spain kept the hosts to just 22 points in the second half to run out victors.
Later on Sunday, 11-time champions the United States face first-time finalists France in a rematch of the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal match, won 67-66 by the Americans.
R.Ryan--NG
