First it was Russia falling to Belarus in the FIBA World Championship quarterfinals and now it was defending champion Australia going down to the host Czech Republic squad 79-68. Instead of the anticipated Russia/Australia semifinal, it will be Belarus against the Czech Republic. France and Spain are currently playing with the winner meeting the U.S. in the other semifinal. UPDATED AT 5:14: Spain rallied from a 9-point deficit in the final 2 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter and won 74-71 in overtime.

Australian stars Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor were a combined 5 for 30 and if not for the 22 points and 10 rebounds from 19-year-old Elizabeth Cambage, Australia might have lost by 30. I noticed that Mariana Tolo, who was so impressive in the exhibition against the U.S. during WNBA All-Star weekend did not play and I'm sure she was missed.

Eva Viteckova had 27 points and Hana Horakova added 21 for the Czech Republic. They combined for nine 3-pointers for the Czechs, which held Australia under 30 percent shooting for the field.