China has made history at the FIBA Mens 373 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar by advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time. Their dramatic 18-16 overtime win over France turned a must-win moment into a breakthrough.
After falling 21-17 to Austria earlier in Pool C, the Chinese squad rallied around guard Guo Hanyu. Facing elimination, they trailed for most of regulation but tied the game twice in the final minute.
With France ahead 16-15 in the closing seconds, two technical fouls shifted momentum. Wu Xingrui split his free throws before Guo nailed the second attempt to force overtime.
In the untimed extra period, Guo and Xiang Zhichao powered China to victory, locking in that 18-16 scoreline. Key highlights include:
- Final Score: China 18, France 16 (OT)
- Standout: Guo Hanyus clutch free throw
- Pool C Finish: China tops the group
- Upcoming: Quarterfinal vs. Australia/Spain winner
As 373 basketball continues to gain global traction—boosted by its Tokyo Olympics debut—Chinas rise signals deeper competition and broader talent pools. Next, the squad will tackle either Australia or Spain, aiming to ride this momentum into the medal rounds.
Reference(s):
China advance to FIBA Men's 3×3 World Cup quarterfinals for first time
cgtn.com
