The United States will meet hosts Turkey in the final

Kevin Durant hit 38 points to lead the United States to their first World Championship final since 1994 as they beat Lithuania 89-74 in Istanbul.

Both teams were unbeaten going into the semi, but Lithuania could find no way back after trailing 42-27 at half-time.

In the final, US will play hosts Turkey, who edged out Serbia 83-82 in the other semi-final.

Turkey's hero was guard Kerem Tunceri, who scored the crucial basket with just a minute left in the game.

Tunceri had earlier hit a three-pointer which brought Turkey the lead after they had trailed by single digits for 33 minutes.

That three-pointer gave Turkey a 76-75 lead, only for Serbia to regain the advantage in the last minute.

Tunceri then assisted on a basket for Semih Erden before Novica Velickovic hit a two for Serbia with four seconds remaining.

After a time out, Tunceri caught the inbounds pass for the shot that won the game in a packed arena.

Marko Keselj led their scoring with 18 points, while Phoenix Suns forward Hedo Turkoglu hit 16 points for Turkey.

Serbia, who won the silver medal in last year's European Championships, led almost from the start but could never make the decisive break.

They will meet Lithuania in Sunday's bronze medal match, with reigning world and European champions Spain taking on Argentina for fifth place.

Lithuania's best player was Robertas Javtokas, who had 15 points and nine rebounds, but star player Linas Kleiza managed only just four points.

In the last quarter, a three-pointer and then a long two from Durant gave US an 84-67 lead with two and a half minutes remaining, settling the game once and for all.

The US have won only two bronze medals in the last three World Championships since they took gold in Toronto 16 years ago.

The winner's of Sunday's final will be the first team to qualify for the 2012 Olympic tournament in London.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version