The African side triumphed 76-73 at Heraklion Arena in Greece, spearheaded by Oumar Ballo who racked up 17 points, 11 rebounds and one assist.

Mali are already assured of the best performance by an African team in the tournament’s history.

But they face a tough test in tomorrow’s final against a powerful United States side who thumped Lithuania 102-67 in the other semi-final.

Reggie Perry impressed for the US with eight points, 14 rebounds, two assists and one block.

Russia edged past Serbia 83-79 to set up a fifth-place clash with Puerto Rico, who had defeated Canada 98-81.

Serbia will meet Canada in the seventh-place fixture.

Elsewhere, Australia will face Greece for ninth place.

The Australians beat Latvia 94-80 and Greece sunk Argentina 72-66, leaving Latvia and Argentina to battle it out for 11th.

Philippines are set to play New Zealand in the 13th-place game after the former defeated China 86-72 and the latter got the better of Senegal 87-71.

China and Senegal will lock horns with 15th place on the line.