It all comes down to this.
While the Opals were no match for the might of the USA, the Australian women’s basketball team are in the running for a bronze medal on Sunday when they play Belgium at 7.30pm AEST.
For a campaign that started in such disastrous fashion, with the Opals going down 75-62 in a shock loss to Nigeria, it is an achievement in itself that they still find themselves in the running for a medal.
MATCH CENTRE: Opals vs Belgium live scores, updates
It speaks to the blend of experience and youth that had lifted the Opals to three-straight wins to earn their spot in the semi-finals, with a star of the future emerging in Jade Melbourne while the likes of Marianna Tolo, Cayla George and Sami Whitcomb have been steady veteran presences.
Sunday’s game could double as an Olympic farewell for those three along with the legendary Lauren Jackson and skipper Tess Madgen, with no guarantee they will figure in Australia’s plans for the 2028 Olympics.
It will definitely be the end of the road, at least in the green and gold, for Hall of Fame great Jackson, as the Opals look to farewell her in style.
For the time being, all the Opals can focus on is Belgium and shooting for their first podium finish since winning bronze at the London Games in 2012.
“We just have to get our mindsets right,” Opals coach Sandy Brondello said.
“OK, we lost the game, but we’ve still got (the chance to get) a podium finish. We want to try and get that bronze medal. That’s our goal, so we’re going to fight.”
The Opals made one late change to their starting five with Steph Talbot, who was under an injury cloud, replaced by Madgen.
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Source Agencies
