USA crash out of World Basketball Championships

The United States have been bundled out of the World Basketball Championships by Yugoslavia.

The NBA-stocked Americans lost 81-78 while New Zealand beat Puerto Rico 65-63 to set up a semi-final no-one would have expected. The other semi-final is between Germany and Argentina.

The Americans' apparent invincibility had been dented earlier in the tournament when they lost to Argentina, their lack of practice together exposed by the South Americans.

That defeat meant the Americans had to face Yugoslavia rather than Brazil, and they could not handle a determined late comeback by the Europeans.

The United States actually took a 10-point lead into the final six minutes, an imposing deficit to wipe out against the assembled professionals from the world's best league.

But Yugoslavia, the reigning champions, did not flinch from the task, beginning their revival with the US up 69-59.

They were carried along by consecutive three-pointers from Milan Gurovic.

The 15-2 run put the defending champions ahead 74-71 and the US could not come back.

Marko Jaric made four free throws in the closing seconds to confirm the result.