The Australian Open Women’s team, Aussie Spirit, have officially qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games after defeating Canada 7-2 in the playoffs of the ISF Women’s World Championship in Beijing on Monday.

The win has secured the Aussie Spirit’s place in the Olympics and a further 1-0 victory over China on Monday night has ensured them a World Championship medal.

Australia now play the USA in the Final on Tuesday at 1700 (AEST). The loser will win the bronze medal and the winner will play for the gold medal against Japan at 1900. 

Japan caused the upset of the World Championships when they defeated the USA 3-1 on Monday.

Aussie Spirit had a close loss to Japan earlier in the week, a large loss to the US and an uncharacteristic loss to the Netherlands. 

The win over the host nation was hard fought. The only run for the match came in the bottom of the fourth innings when Stacey Porter hit a massive home run over the left field fence.

Australian pitchers Tanya Harding (4 innings) and Melanie Roche (3 innings) held the Chinese batters to just four hits for the match.

Softball Australia