The Spanish made it three wins from three with an emphatic 67-43 victory over the Czech Republic to finish top of Group A in Ankara.

Veteran forward Sancho Lyttle was the star of the show, registering 17 points and 14 rebounds for Spain, who advance to the last eight.

"This is exactly what we wanted and it was important the first part of the task has been completed," said the 31-year-old, voted most valuable player at last year's EuroBasket Championships in France, won by the Spanish.

"We knew that it was necessary to reach this critical stage if we are to play for the podium."

Australia, meanwhile, claimed top spot in Group C with an even more comprehensive win over Belarus in Istanbul.

Rachel Jarry led the scoring stakes for the 2006 champions, notching up 19 points in an 87-45 win.

The Belarusians will now take on China for the right to face the Spanish in the first of Friday's (October 3) quarter-finals after the Chinese went down to a narrow 65-63 defeat to Serbia in Istanbul.

The Serbians finished second in Group D with that win and will take on the third-placed side from Group C Cuba in the first quarter-final qualifier tomorrow, after they overcame South Korea 73-57 in Istanbul.

The winners of that match will face a last-eight clash with hosts Turkey, who rubber-stamped their position as Group B winners with a 64-53 victory over Mozambique in Ankara.

France claimed second place behind the Turks in Group B as they came out on top in their match with Canada also in Ankara  thanks to a game-high 13 points from Sandrine Gruda.

France overcame Canada to set up a potential last-eight clash with reigning champions the United States ©AFP/Getty Images



Canada will now square-up against the Czech Republic for the right to take on Australia in the last-eight.

"The game against France gave the chance for us to try some things and I still think we played hard," said Canada's Katherine Plouffe.

"It's this next one which we really need to focus on now - especially as it is a straight forward win or go home scenario.

"We played Czech Republic during preparation and it was good for us.

"I think we can play well and match-up against them."

France will take on Brazil, with the winner to face reigning champions the United States in the last of Friday's quarter-final ties.

The Brazilians ended Japan's interest in the Championship with a 79-56 win in the first match in the Turkish capital, while the final match of night over in Istanbul saw the Americans hammer Angola 119-44 to confirm top spot in Group D and reaffirm their status as pre-tournament favourites.

Tomorrow will see Ankara host the clashes between Czech Republic and Canada followed by France and Brazil while Belarus versus China and the Serbia versus Cuba matches take place in Istanbul.

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