The continuum coupling in a one-dimensional scattering problem was studied within a semiclassical approach by means of a transformed harmonic oscillator (THO). The THO basis provided a finite set of normalized states representing the continuum of breakup states. The calculated wave functions were used to evaluate diagonal and transition potentials, which entered in a standard coupled channel calculation. The method was applied for the description of the scattering of deuterons on heavy targets. © Oxford University Press 2002.