BRISBANE, Australia (CMC):

Romelda Aiken had an easy time under the hoop, and the Queensland Firebirds stormed into the Grand Final of the ANZ Championship, with a 50-39 victory over the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic in the major semi-final on Monday.

Aiken scored 29 goals from 33 attempts to help the Firebirds extend their fantastic unbeaten run for the season in their first ever ANZ Championship finals match in front of an elated home crowd at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Firebirds' confidence and composure belied the fact that this is their first appearance in the ANZ Finals Series.

From goalkeeper Laura Geitz shutting down the Magic attack, through to Aiken, the Birds could hardly be faulted in their full-hearted effort across the court.

The Firebirds have earned the right to host the Grand Final on Sunday, May 22, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The Firebirds will face the winner of the historic, all-New Zealand preliminary final between the Magic and the Northern Mystics.

The Magic will host their north island rivals, the Mystics, in front an anticipated sell-out crowd at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton next Sunday, May 15.