In probably the closest game of the tournament to date, the lead switched between the two teams minute by minute as neither could get a stranglehold on their opponent.

A tight opening period saw The Netherlands come in with a slender 20-16 lead and, despite the hosts briefly going ahead in the second, the Dutch women finished the half 40-34 to the good.

A resilient Canadian side came out in the third with a sturdy defensive effort.

The team held The Netherlands to 12 points while tallying 17 to pull within one.

Going into the final frame 51-52 down, the Canadians bided their time and, with just 0.9 seconds left on the clock, Janet McLachlan netted the decider to give her team a 75-74 win and a spot in the all-important gold medal final.

"I think we always just believed it would come together for us," said Katie Harnock who passed to McLachlan for the final basket. 

"I've said it a few times; this is the best I think we've ever played. 

"All of us are really hitting our stride and even when they were up by four or six, there was never a feeling that they could take it away from us.

"There was always a belief we could bring it back."

Canada will take on Germany in the final after they beat the United States in their semi-final encounter ©2014WWWBC



In the final, the Canadians will meet Germany after the Paralympic champions triumphed over the United States, 68-58.

It took until the final quarter for the Germans to pull away in this encounter after a see-saw fixture stopped either side from sustaining a constant bed of pressure.

After taking the first half by a single point, the US were held back in the third as Germany levelled the match to take it to a decider in the fourth.

Tied at 46 apiece, the US took the early initiative in the fourth period, however, this would be the last time they led in the match, as Germany gave a performance worthy of their London 2012 title to finish 10 points up in the final period and book their place alongside Canada in the final.

The US will now take on The Netherlands in the bronze medal playoff tomorrow, but not before the consolation match for fifth and sixth place.

This fixture was decided in today's earlier encounters as Great Britain recovered from their defeat to the US to overcome France 58-41.

The other consolation match saw Australia beat China 62-57.

The results mean that Great Britain and Australia will battle it out for fifth and sixth, while China and France go head-to-head for seventh and eighth.

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