ISTANBUL (AP) – Canada advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s basketball World Championship for the first time in 20 years after knocking off the Czech Republic 91-71 yesterday.
After finishing 12th at the 2010 World Championships which were hosted by the Czechs, Canada have seen steady improvement over the past four years led by a talented young group of players.
Kim Gaucher scored 17 points to lead Canada, which will play Australia tomorrow.
In other quarter-finals qualifying games, China topped Belarus 72-67, Serbia edged Cuba 86-79 and France beat Brazil 61-48.
France’s win set up a rematch against the United States. The French team handed the Americans a rare loss on September 21 when the teams played an exhibition game in Paris.
The Chinese team will face Spain next, while Serbia will play host Turkey.
