Spain ends Sapphires’ title bid after brave comeback

• ‍Game 1: Sapphires duo break steals record in World Cup opener‍
• Game 2: No.1 US escapes Sapphires late run‍
• Game 3: Manyok double-double powers Sapphires to knockout stages‍
• Game 4: Sapphires unleash 24-0 blitz to bury Germany early
• Game 5: 'Veteran' Madi Ryan leads Sapphires into semi-finals

Australia's quest for a FIBA Under-17 Women's Basketball World Cup title has fallen one game short, but the Sapphires still have the opportunity to finish their campaign on the podium after a hard-fought 58-51 semi-final loss to Spain in Brno, Czechia.

The Sapphires pushed one of the tournament favourites to the brink, erasing a 13-point second-quarter deficit and drawing level at 50-50 midway through the final quarter before Spain produced the decisive plays late to advance to the gold medal game.

The result ended Australia's unbeaten run but reinforced the growth of a young squad that has emerged as one of the tournament's standout teams.

Head coach Tom Garlepp said the challenge against Spain was exactly the type of experience his players needed.

"Playing against Spain is a famous and enjoyable challenge for Aussie teams and I am happy this group gets their opportunity to have their experience within that," Garlepp told basketball.com.au before the game.

"They play hard and tough. We will prepare as best we can to be able to go and give it a good crack together."

Australia certainly did that.

After overcoming Japan in the quarter-finals, the Sapphires again displayed the resilience that has defined their tournament.

Madi Ryan led the comeback as Australia produced an 11-0 run through the third quarter before Sophie Richardson's clutch three-pointer tied the game with just over three minutes remaining.

Spain, however, responded with the final eight points of the contest to secure a 58-51 victory and a place in the championship game.

Garlepp's message throughout the tournament has centred on continual improvement rather than results, and that philosophy remained evident throughout Australia's semi-final performance.

"We would like to simply keep building," Garlepp said.

"We obviously know that the teams get tougher with every game in any tournament, so with each practice and match we want to try and grow and learn together."

Those lessons will now be carried into the bronze-medal playoff, where Australia has the chance to complete another impressive international campaign with a podium finish.

The Sapphires have shown throughout the tournament they can compete with the world's elite junior nations, defeating Germany and Japan before pushing Spain to the final minutes. While the dream of a world title has ended, a bronze medal would still represent another significant achievement for one of Australia's brightest young basketball squads.

Australia will now regroup ahead of the bronze-medal game, aiming to finish its World Cup campaign with a medal.

Australia's Box Score vs Spain