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The final four is set at the 2025 IWBF Men’s U23 World Championship, with Australia, Germany, Türkiye, and Great Britain advancing to the semi-finals after an action-packed day of quarter-final basketball at the Centro de Treinamento Paralímpico in São Paulo.
Epic Aussie Comeback Stuns Italy to Book Semi-Final Spot
The day tipped off with a thriller, as Australia pulled off a stunning comeback to defeat Italy 66–65 in a game that had everything.
Italy started strong, taking a 22–17 lead in the first quarter and stretching their advantage to as much as 14 points in the third. But the Aussies refused to back down, rallying behind a monster performance from Jaylen Brown, who posted 31 points and 13 rebounds. Ethan Leard was also instrumental in the comeback, delivering calm leadership and key playmaking.
With the game hanging in the balance, Australia clawed their way back in the final minutes to snatch victory and become the first team into the semi-finals. A heroic effort and a quarter-final classic.
Germany Dominate Japan to Continue Unbeaten Run
Germany punched their semi-final ticket in commanding fashion with a 77–35 win over defending champions Japan.
The European side set the tone early, taking a 19–8 lead in the first quarter and never looking back. Shooting a red-hot 56% from the field, Germany combined efficiency on offense with suffocating defense, limiting Japan to just 28% shooting.
Three German players registered double-doubles in a complete team performance: Jakob Kroemer (24 points, 10 rebounds), Julian Lammering (19 points, 10 rebounds), and Maxi Lammering (16 points, 13 assists).
Despite a spirited effort from Japan, led by Daito Koyama’s 14 points and flashes of promise from 15-year-old Koga Nakazawa, Germany’s depth and discipline proved too much.
Great Britain Power Past Hosts to Reach Final Four
Great Britain advanced to the semi-finals with a 69–43 win over host nation Brazil.
After a slow start, GB found their rhythm behind the steady leadership of Charlie McIntyre, who orchestrated the offense. The British side stormed to a 42–14 halftime lead and never looked back, absorbing Brazil’s second-half runs with composed defense and efficient scoring.
Oscar Knight led the way with 19 points, while McIntyre added a double-double of 14 points and 17 assists, his third of the tournament.
Brazil’s Sergio Junior kept the crowd engaged with 18 points, but the hosts could not close the gap and will now meet USA in the 5-8 Crossover game.
Türkiye Outclass USA in Second Half to Claim Final Semi-Final Spot
In the final game of the day, Türkiye came from behind to outlast Team USA 77–63 in a fast-paced, high-stakes battle.
The USA struck first, building a 20–14 lead after the first quarter, but Türkiye’s experience began to show. They slowly chipped away at the deficit, tying the game 36–36 by halftime.
The second half belonged to Türkiye. With relentless defensive pressure and slick transition play, they surged ahead and never let up. A late push from the USA wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Hasan Efeturk delivered a dominant all-around performance with 29 points and 10 rebounds, while Timothy Houston responded with 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Americans in a losing effort.
Semi-Final Fixtures – Thursday, 19 June
15:30 | Germany vs Australia – Court 1
17:45 | Great Britain vs Türkiye – Court 1
The stage is now set for an epic finish to the 2025 IWBF U23 World Championship, as four teams remain in the hunt for the title.
Photo Credits: X-1/IWBF
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