Australia's battling basketball women have made it into the last-eight of the World Cup after edging out Italy 82-80 in a nerve-shredding, winner-takes-all clash in Berlin.
But the Opals, who were inspired by Izzy Borlase's 30-point haul, ran into more injury trouble as they set up a quarter-final clash with Spain in FIBA's global showpiece.
Already without injured WNBA star Alanna Smith (lower leg) since game one, the Opals lost captain and gun centre Ezi Magbegor to injury midway through the first quarter of Wednesday's duel, while point guard Jade Melbourne played just three minutes due to illness.
The gallant Australians were in huge danger of suffering a shock exit after they'd led by as many as 26 points in the third quarter and held a 20-point lead at three-quarter time as Italy mounted a furious fightback.
"We found a way, proud of that," Australia coach Sandy Brondello said. 'We faced too much adversity, but we're still here and we'll give it a crack tomorrow."
Zitina Aokuso made a go-ahead lay-up with 24 seconds left to help the Opals reassert some control in the dying seconds.
The Italians, who had given the US their most competitive group game in 50 years, refused to yield in a comeback that was capped by Costanza Verona's three-pointer with 69 seconds remaining that tied the game at 77-77.
After Aokuso gave the Opals the lead, Italy had a chance to go ahead but Cecilia Zandalisini missed a jumper with 13 seconds left. A review of the ensuing rebound gave crucial possession to Australia.
Alex Wilson was then fouled with 8.3 seconds left and made both free throws to make it a two-possession game.
Vittoria Blasigh hit a three-pointer to get Italy to within one point with just under five seconds left.
Borlase made the second of two free throws to give Australia a two-point lead and though Francseca Pasa had one last chance to tie it, her driving lay-up rolled off the rim at the buzzer.
Brondello wasn't sure later whether Magbegor would be fit to face Spain in their quarter-final.
Magbegor sat on the court for a few minutes after her injury before being helped to the locker room. She came out and sat on the bench in the second quarter, but didn't return to the game.
In the day's other big match, China beat Puerto Rico 75-72 to secure the other remaining spot in the quarter-finals.
A star with WNBL side Perth Lynx last season, towering (7-foot-3) centre Han Xu led China with 21 points and 11 rebounds. They will play France on Thursday.
The other quarter-finals pit Hungary against perennial heavyweight USA, who are chasing a fifth-straight title, and hosts Germany against Belgium.
