China edges past Czech Republic in World Cup overtime thriller

China's women's basketball team capitalised on their physical advantages to secure a narrow victory over the Czech Republic in an intense World Cup encounter on Sunday. The match, which stretched into overtime, saw the Asian powerhouse emerge 74-70 victors, restoring momentum to their campaign after earlier disappointments in the tournament.

The decisive factor in China's comeback was the dominance of Han Xu, the nearly seven-foot-tall centre playing for the New York Liberty. Xu's commanding performance at both ends of the court—contributing a double-double—allowed China to control play in the paint and ultimately overcome a resilient Czech side in the extra period.

The closely contested affair underscored the competitive nature of the championship, where marginal differences in execution and physicality often determine outcomes. China's ability to leverage their considerable height advantage proved critical as they battled through a tightly contested affair that required the additional five minutes to settle.

The victory marks a significant step forward for China as they look to establish consistency in the tournament. With Xu anchoring their efforts, the team demonstrated the depth and resilience required to compete at the sport's highest level, setting a foundation for their remaining fixtures in the competition.